Mandatory training will be rolled out across South Australia’s hospitality sector in a bid to protect both staff and patrons from sexual harassment.

The State Government will consult with both industry and the broader community on the inclusion of bystander intervention education as part of responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training.

The new training will help staff better identify and respond to sexual harassment and other unwanted behaviour.

The State Government will also be consulting on training looking specifically at prevention and support of victims of drink spiking.

The move follows feedback received by the Equal Opportunity Commissioner, the United Workers Union and What Were You Wearing Australia including during consultation on the Late Night Code, which applies to most venues that trade past 2am.

It also follows the release of Not So Hospitable: Sexual Harassment in the Adelaide Hospitality Industry report published by Jamie Bucirde and the University of Melbourne.

Australian Hotels’ Association SA Chief Executive Anna Moeller said that sexual harassment and any other form of anti-social behaviour was inappropriate in any workplace.

“Hospitality is a broad church and whilst hotels only make up approximately 600 of the some 6000 venues of this kind across the state, we are proud to be at the forefront of a proactive response to the concerns raised by Ms Bucirde in her report as well as those raised by the Equal Opportunity Commissioner,” Ms Moeller said.

“The safety of hotel staff is of paramount concern to us and the Bystander Intervention training for those already working within hotels that we are launching this week will play an integral role in ensuring that staff in our industry are equipped with the knowledge, tools and resources to enhance their safety while at work."