Women are calling for change in nightclub policies, particularly those involving sexual harassment and assault, on college campuses across the country. According to the Chicago Tribune, at least 35 universities are now investigating their Greek life culture after several high profile cases of sexual assault, drugging and hazing have occurred in recent years. Below are reasons why some women are calling for this change to night club policies.
1) Lack of Security
Women are calling for change in nightclub policies because of the lack of security. Clubs and bars are not required to have bouncers or security guards present at all times, leaving women vulnerable to sexual assault, date rape drugs, and other crimes. The National Crime Victimization Survey estimates that only 7% of sexual assaults happen in a public place with a large number of people nearby. So why is it the responsibility of women to protect themselves from these crimes? It shouldn’t be up to the victim’s responsibility. There should be more measures taken by club owners and bartenders to make sure this doesn’t happen in the first place. If a bouncer were present, they could intervene if someone were being harassed or prevented from leaving an area where sexual assault might take place.
2) Long Lines
Lines are a major deterrent for women going to nightclubs. If a woman arrives at the club and sees that there’s already a long line, she may feel discouraged from standing in it for an hour or two before getting in. The amount of time spent waiting alone can be off-putting, especially if she is by herself. Furthermore, the majority of people who stand in line with her will be men; this could make her feel unsafe and even more uncomfortable than she was to begin with. One of the most common complaints about lines is that they’re often composed of groups of men who are looking to take advantage of women who may have had one too many drinks–in other words, it can be unsafe for women just trying to have a good time.
3) Overcrowding
When there are too many people in a space, it can be uncomfortable and unsafe. This is especially true for nightclubs where the space is already tight, dark and loud. Overcrowding makes it harder to find your friends or reach a bartender for a drink. It also means that you might have to deal with people who bump into you or step on your feet while they’re dancing. And if there’s not enough room to dance, this can lead to arguments as people try to claim their territory on the dance floor. All of these factors combined can create an intense environment that some people find unbearable.
It would be great to see more clubs make moves to prevent overcrowding by instituting guest lists, coat checks and other systems that limit the number of guests entering the club at one time.
4) Lack of Air Conditioning
Nightlife is a time to let loose and have a good time, but not all nightlife establishments are created equal. The design of some clubs can make it difficult to stay cool when the temperature soars outside. One reason women are calling for change in nightclub policies is that many of these venues lack air conditioning.
There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a crowded room where you feel like you’re melting from the inside out. Air conditioning makes all the difference, but sometimes it’s not enough to keep up with demand when there are too many people crammed into one room, or if it isn’t set up properly for climate control. When temperatures soar outside, everyone needs relief from the heat and humidity.
5) Poor Sound Quality
Clubs are notoriously loud, which is a concern for people with hearing disabilities or those who find that the volume hurts their ears. Some clubs impose dress codes that have been found to be discriminatory, so women can’t dress how they want or wear what they want to express themselves and often end up spending more money on clothes than they planned in order to comply with the club’s rules and regulations. The lack of diversity within security staff employed by many nightclubs can lead to poor treatment of minority groups, like people of color or members of the LGBTQ community, which is an ongoing problem that needs to be addressed by clubs now that many types of discrimination have been outlawed in recent years.
6) Expensive Drinks
It’s well documented that when men have a lot to drink, they are far more likely to commit sexual assault. When women have a lot to drink, they are more likely to be the victims of sexual assault. If we don’t want this problem in our society, we need to address it here. Asking for ID at the door is not going to stop people from drinking and drugging before they come into clubs. People are going to find ways around it. The bouncer can easily let someone in if they’re already drunk or high. I’ve seen it happen myself and there’s no way of stopping them. The guy who was being denied entry was just given a free pass by another guy who was obviously working with him – he said he didn’t have his ID but then went back inside after telling me his story.
7) Unwelcoming Staff
Unwelcoming staff are one of the biggest reasons that women feel unsafe in nightlife venues. Woman will often comment on how they would feel more comfortable if a female or gay male bartender were working, and how bartenders should always be friendly to everyone, especially those who look uncomfortable or lost. It is important for bouncers and bartenders to listen to customers concerns and work with them to make their experience as enjoyable as possible. If a woman is being harassed, she should not have to make a scene in order to get help- bouncers and bartenders need to take action when they see someone being mistreated.
