Everyone deserves to enjoy a good night out - and the City of Stonnington is stepping up support for programs that will help make our local nightlife safer and more inclusive.
As part of our commitment to community safety and the uplift of Chapel Street, Council is supporting several key initiatives aimed at reducing harm, preventing crime, and upskilling licensed venues staff to feel confident and equipped to respond.
One of these initiatives is Step Up, Speak Up, a Crime Stoppers campaign encouraging patrons, staff, and bystanders to safely intervene and report harrasment or unsafe behaviour. The campaign highlights the importance of looking out for each other and reinforces that everyone has a role in keeping public spaces safe. Posters will be up around the Chapel Street Precinct until 12 January.
You might have also noticed a bright Pink Car on Chapel Street, run by The Salvation Army Street Team. Operating on Friday and Saturday nights, the Pink Car provides support to people out in the precinct, with a focus on young women. If someone has had too much to drink, feels unsafe or has lost their friends, the team can offer a safe ride home. Whether it's offering a bottle of water, some lollies or a phone charger - the Salvo's Street Team do a fantastic job keeping our young people safe on a night out.
Local licensed venues are also joining the efforts through the Good Night Out initiative. in partnership with Full Stop Australia. Staff Training and accreditation support equips hospitality staff with the skills to recognise and respond to sexual violence and harassment in their venues.
The response to the training was hugely positive with 50 hospo staff attending across multiple Chapel Street venues. Staff reported that the training gave them more confidence, clear procedures and an insight into the experience of marginalised groups such as LGBTQI+ patrons.
Feedback from participants included that "the training was highly informative about intersectionality of marginalised groups in regard to sexual offenses" and that it "gave me direction in how to move forward."
By continuing to work together with community, traders and partners on these kinds of initiatives, we can create a nightlife culture where everyone has the freedom to enjoy themselves and feel safe doing so.
