Federal grant will cover Safer Bar training costs in downtown Madison to deter sexual assault 

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, about 50% of all UW–Madison students will be victims of sexual assault at some point during their time on campus. Alcohol is a factor in over 75% of such attacks, the chancellor’s office says.

City leaders are looking to change that by joining the Safer Bar movement, a national initiative that teaches bar and restaurant staff techniques for spotting, preventing, and de-escalating cases of sexual assault in their establishments.

Madison officials announced on Thursday that staff at downtown bars and restaurants will be eligible for the training free of charge.

In 2016, Madison’s Rape Crisis Center established the Safer Bar movement to promote safety in nightlife settings; around 20 business have completed the $400 training to date.

Now, however, a federal grant will cover that cost for any businesses in the State Street area that sell alcohol.