SAFE Introduces SAFE Institute to Foster Inclusive, Respectful Workplaces
Written by Piper Stege NelsonMedia Contact:
Katarina Brown
Jones-Dilworth, Inc.
713-498-3643
The SAFE Institute: Customized education and training programs help organizations address harassment
Austin, TX – January 29, 2019 – SAFE, a national leader in building healthy and respectful communities to stop abuse for everyone, today announced the launch of the SAFE Institute, a new initiative created to bring SAFE’s valuable experience to organizations that are committed to cultivating safe, respectful spaces. The SAFE Institute will provide custom training, consultants, and resources to help companies of all sizes foster inclusive, respectful environments at work and in the community.
SAFE Institute’s flagship program, BASE, includes consulting, incident support, and interactive training sessions to help employees on how to identify, prevent, and respond to sexual harassment. SAFE’s expert consultants engage participants in a meaningful dialogue regarding how to interrupt inappropriate speech and behaviors that can lead to an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. The BASE program also includes customized consulting on policies and procedures as well as sexual harassment incident support services.
Sexual harassment in the workplace can have profound impacts on the personal wellbeing, morale, and productivity of employees. It can also expose individuals and companies to legal liability, reputational risk, and increased turnover.
According to a 2016 report, approximately one-third of the nearly 90,000 complaints received by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission included an allegation of workplace harassment during the 2015 fiscal year, for which $164 million was paid out.
“Violence and abuse come in many forms and unfortunately, issues like sexual harassment are prevalent even at work,” said Kelly White, Co-CEO of SAFE. “All too many existing training programs focus primarily on meeting compliance requirements or avoiding legal liability, but they fail to address how to effectively change the behaviors that cause problems in the first place. The SAFE Institute is designed to equip organizations with the tools and training they need to create safe and productive environments where their employees can thrive.”
The SAFE Institute has already trained a number of prominent Austin organizations, including: Bumble, Alamo Drafthouse, BookPeople, Anaconda, and the Texas Roller Derby.
“Online training is fine for new employee orientation and ensuring compliance, but the in-person training SAFE crafted for us is far more meaningful,” said Tim League, CEO of Alamo Drafthouse.
Other programs available through SAFE Institute include:
- Expect Respect— This research-based training program works to promote healthy relationships and prevent violence and abuse among children and teens.
- Domestic and Sexual Violence 101— This training helps build awareness of the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault, what signs to look for, how to respond to friends and family in supportive ways, and provides resources for survivors. It also gives avenues for prevention.
- Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggression— This training focuses on providing verbal de-escalation and benign physical intervention tools to promote safety, respect, and dignity in residential and therapeutic settings.
SAFE exists to stop abuse for everyone by serving survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence. The organization is dedicated to ending violence through prevention, advocacy, and comprehensive services for individuals, families, and communities that have been affected by abuse.
To learn more about SAFE Institute or to get started with corporate training, please visit safeinstitute.org.
About The SAFE Alliance
SAFE is a merger of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace, both long-standing and respected human service agencies in Austin serving survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence.
SAFE’s goal is ambitious and simple: stop abuse for everyone.
Learn more about our services and programs at safeaustin.org.
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