Safe Bars bystander training in alcohol-serving venues to reduce sexual violence
Official title: Rigorous Evaluation of Training in Alcohol-Serving Venues for Sexual Violence Prevention
Run by RTI International · NCT07527988 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether Safe Bars’ active bystander training for staff at bars and similar venues helps reduce sexual violence and increases staff intervention in risky situations.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 3180 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | RTI International Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Little Rock, Arkansas and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 13, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 2028 |
| Study ends | December 2028 |
| Registry record updated | August 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07527988 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are staff or patrons aged 18 or older at participating bars and other alcohol-serving venues who can read and speak English.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants in venues that do not receive the training may not experience changes in staff intervention or venue safety norms.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This project evaluates the effectiveness of Safe Bars' active bystander training when implemented at alcohol-serving venues. It compares venues that receive the training to those that do not, looking at rates of sexual violence and the likelihood of staff intervening in potentially harmful situations. The study also explores how venue environments and beliefs among staff and patrons influence outcomes. It is conducted at sites in Arkansas, Florida, and North Carolina with collaboration among RTI International, universities, and the CDC. The approach combines individual-level skill-building with venue-level policy and environment changes to address risk and protective factors for sexual violence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the training could lead to safer venues and lower rates of sexual violence for staff and patrons.
How similar studies have gone: Previous analyses of bystander training in venues suggest potential reductions in violence, but rigorous evaluation of Safe Bars-style programs is ongoing and the results are still emerging.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years old * Able to read and speak English * Employee or patron of participating venues Exclusion Criteria: * Has any condition that, in the opinion of the PI or their designee, would preclude informed consent, make study participation unsafe, complicate interpretation of study outcome data, or otherwise interfere with achieving the study objectives.
Where it's running
-
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States Recruiting -
RTI International
Durham, North Carolina, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Marni Kan
- Email: mkan@rti.org
- Phone: 919-485-2756
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.