Ending Sexual Assault in Tennessee: The Sexual Assault Center (SAC) in Nashville is committed to ending sexual assault in Tennessee through direct client care, advocacy, crisis support, and community education. SAC provides free services such as a 24/7 hotline, a safe clinic for forensic examinations, and professional training, while also engaging in legislative advocacy to prevent future incidents. Alcohol is often a factor in sexual assault cases, underscoring the need for community efforts to address and prevent violence.
SafeBar’s Mission to Prevent Assault: Alcohol does not directly cause sexual assault, but it is frequently involved in drug-facilitated assaults, making it the most common substance used in such crimes. SafeBar’s mission is to equip Nashville’s nightlife with resources and strategies that promote patron safety. Established in 2022, SafeBar collaborates with local government and stakeholders to provide recommendations and support for policies and procedures that help prevent and respond to incidents effectively.
Virtual Socialization and Youth Development: Young adults, particularly those under 25, are experiencing shifts in social and sexual development influenced by virtual environments and pandemic-related isolation. Many learn about relationships and sexuality through media, social platforms, and peer interactions, which can create echo chambers and limit real-world socialization. Transitioning from virtual spaces to in-person settings can present challenges, sometimes leading to harmful behaviors due to a lack of social testing and development of pro-social skills.
Bar Staff Sexual Assault Training: Training programs for bar staff focus on recognizing signs of discomfort and intervening in potential sexual assault situations using the “5 D’s” of active intervention. These programs aim to create safer environments for patrons and work in collaboration with security teams. Additional initiatives include educational programs for men on healthy social behaviors, contributing to a less sexually violent culture.
Trauma-Informed Care and Advocacy: Efforts in trauma-informed care often intersect with substance use disorder prevention and advocacy. Collaborative approaches address these overlapping issues through education, responsible beverage service training, and community programs designed to reduce violence and promote safety. Ongoing work includes developing strategies that integrate trauma-informed practices into prevention and intervention efforts statewide.
Josh Johnson serves as the Prevention & Outreach Manager at the Sexual Assault Center (SAC), where he oversees Safe Bar—an evidence-based training program that certifies bars, restaurants, and other alcohol serving establishments in reducing sexual assault through active-bystander intervention and prevention strategies to help foster safer nightlife environments. Prior to his work in prevention, Josh was a clinical mental health therapist for seven years, specializing in trauma and supporting survivors of sexual assault. This background shapes his perspectives in community education, policy development, and cross-sector collaboration with hospitality leaders, law enforcement, and public health partners. SAC's work centers on equipping communities with practical tools, trauma-informed strategies, and the cultural shifts necessary to make Nashville a safer city.
