Bilbao (EFE).- The Minister of Equality and Justice, Beatriz Artolazabal, has expressed the willingness of the Basque Government to work with the nightlife innkeepers in the Basque Country to draw up protocols in order to care for possible victims of sexual violence in those establishments.
This was stated by Artolazabal after participating in an act to train young people and adolescents on the administration of Justice, when asked if the international “Nightlife” protocol against sexual violence is applied in discos and nightlife venues in the Basque Country.
This protocol, to which nightlife venues in Catalonia adhere, includes the use of the password “Ángela” to ask for help at the bar in case of aggression or similar actions.
The initiative, which originated in the United Kingdom and has spread to different countries, establishes that when a woman feels harassed or has been attacked, she can approach the discotheque workers, with training in this regard, and by asking “are you Angela?” they will activate protection measures for the victim and separate her from her harasser.
Basque Government Guides
The Basque Minister explained that this year the Executive has prepared two guides together with the Basque town halls and the hospitality sector to prevent this type of attack and protect victims in other circumstances.
The first with orientation to act in recreational and festive events that were going to take place in the summer, when there were dozens of complaints about punctures, and a second guide to react to possible victims in large-format cultural events.
“In any case – added the counselor – the will of the Government is to continue working in the field of prevention and care for women victims of gender violence.”
As he added, “if the sector has any issue that they want to offer to the Government to be able to work on this matter, we will be willing to collaborate to be able to implement a guide” for action “to avoid situations of violence against women and, if they occur, be able to care for the victims.
no official protocol
Héctor Sánchez, manager of the Bizkaia Hotel and Catering Association, which includes nightlife, explained to Efe, for his part, that there is no “official” protocol for action in cases of sexual assault, contrary to what happened in summer with punctures.
On that occasion, the Ertzaintza provided them with instructions on how to proceed.
“Each establishment has its way of acting, based fundamentally on common sense, and when a problem is detected, the Police are called and if there are images or videos, they are also delivered,” he commented.
The large Biscayan nightclubs and their security personnel “work well” in the face of attacks, which, “fortunately, are very rare; In recent years, none of the seriousness of what happened in Barcelona has been recorded », according to what he has said.
Regarding the “Nightlife” protocol, he stated that it is a “good” reference to which they can adhere, but “the important thing is the work of each establishment.” EFE
