So that every one can experience beautiful moments and friendly encounters in bars, clubs and with live music:
Feel invited to use and keep in mind these suggestions and ideas, described here, in your nightlife and the events you attend.
So that every one can experience beautiful moments and friendly encounters in bars, clubs and with live music:
Feel invited to use and keep in mind these suggestions and ideas, described here, in your nightlife and the events you attend.
You’re finding yourself in a strange uncomfortable situation? Listen to your gut feeling!
It’s better to pass on more information than to leave a situation as it is – it might get more unpleasant or even escalate.
You’re overhearing an argument in the toilet? Listen carefully!
Let a trained person know – they can check on the situation and offer support.
Next to the happening of music, dancing, and light shows, you’re noticing a situation that seems threatening?
Look carefully, get support!
You’re noticing that a person is not feeling well? Ask if they need anything, if everything is alright, or if there is anything you can do!
Let people know who care and offer support to someone! Support each other, be there for each other!
Depending on how safe or unsafe you feel with a certain situation you have witnessed or observed, addressing is NOT a must. Do so, only if you feel safe and able to do so.
Feel free to let them know. Get support! You can hand over the task to someone else, so that more people can see to it.
Support is provided by the staff:
· behind the counter
· at the door
· in the event area
· to the Awareness Team
When I am in the position as a guest or visitor to support someone affected, there are a few things that can be useful and helpful.
Perhaps they would like a familiar person to stay with them and be close by, or a person with whom they can take a short break from loud music and the party hustle. Maybe the person concerned would like to calm down for a moment and have a familiar conversation with you.
Deal with the situation in a trustful way! They might confide in you, share private and personal experiences.
Listen and be there for the person concerned! They set the pace, express what is supportive and what they want or need.
Be open and understanding! Have an accepting attitude – the person concerned speaks out, defining what has happened.
Stay calm and give the affected person space! Acknowledge and respect the feelings, perceptions, and experiences regarding the concerned. Give them the opportunity to express what needs to be expressed (tears, anger, tension, annoyance, fear, etc.)
Reactions to avoid!
· Try to refrain from doubting, questioning, downplaying, belittling, excusing, relativising.
No discussion! This denies the truth of the ones concerned. They may feel not seen, not heard, and not taken seriously.
· Rejection and irritability leave the affected person perplexed. This leaves them completely alone in a bad situation, leaving them on their own to deal with it and its effects. This tells the affected person that they must bear all the responsibility and does not offer them any support or backing up.
· The affected person experiences a lot of misunderstanding. To be put in the position of explaining, justifying, defending one's own self and credibility can be very frustrating, and the situation is worsened!