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Syracuse Restaurants Team Up with the Vera House to Combat Sexual Violence Syracuse Restaurants team up with the Vera House to combat sexual violence

By Josh Liepper

Funk'n Waffles sign outside the restaurant
© 2018 Josh Liepper

By Josh Liepper SYRACUSE N.Y. (NCC News)- Five Syracuse restaurants are teaming up with the Vera House to train employees on sexual harassment.

The Vera House Department of Education is training employees on how to “notice sexual harassment and stop it from happening,” said Liz Bullock, a member of the Vera House. The goal of the “Raise The Bar” initiative is to provide a healthy and safe nightlife.

Funk’n Waffles begins training this week. Pastabilities, The Blue Tusk and Kitty Hoynes underwent training last week.

Nicole Addley, one of the managers of Funk’n Waffles, said this training is very important for her bar. Their bar has already formed ideas to limit this type of behavior.

“We have quite a huge security staff so that we have eyes on the venue at all times,” Addley said.

Employees are instructed to escort people who are committing these types of acts out of the restaurant/bar area.

The Vera House has not done anything like this before, Bullock said.

“Usually we hold classes for domestic violence, we council clients and we link them to certain resources,” she explained.

 

 

LIEPPER: The Vera House’s program “Raise The Bar” is helping restaurants in Armory Square understand how to combat sexual abuse. Liz Bullock, a member of the Vera House, says the training will help the community as much as possible.

BULLOCK: “Their mission is to end domestic violence and sexual violence wherever, so that’s their way of doing it in the community.”

LIEPPER: One of the managers at Funk’n Waffles, Nicole Addley, says they are participating because they want to ensure a safe environment for customers.

ADDLEY: “I think it’s super important just to make sure that everyone who comes to this establishment knows that they’re in a safe place and that they won’t be assaulted in any way, shape or form.”

LIEPPER: Pastabilities, The Blue Tusk and Kitty Hoynes are undergoing training right now. Funk’n Waffles begin their training next week. Josh Liepper… NCC News

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