Bar staff told how to spot sex pests

It is hoped a pilot programme training hospitality workers how to spot sexual offenders will become standard practice.

Workshops which trained 100 bar staff, doormen and managers to spot and stop sexual offenders have had very positive feedback.

Rape Prevention Education's Kylie Tippett says three quarters of offenders and just over half of date-rape victims have taken drugs or been drinking.

She says bar workers are in a unique position to intervene before things get out of hand.

She says simple things like questioning someone who is being inappropriate or buying a lot of alcohol for someone else can be very effective.

Ms Tippett says if this type of training is introduced everywhere, it will be a big step towards making bars and clubs safer.

- NEWSTALK ZB