2025 BEST PRACTICE AWARDS
Best On-Premise Partnership
MONTGOMERY COUNTY ABS
by KRYSTINA SKIBO
The Safe Bars program teaches articipants how to spot warning signs for sexual violence, brainstorm solutions for different types of risks and role-play potential scenarios.
The Safe Bars program offers a variety of resources for hospitality workers, including bystander intervention, de-escalation and allyship training.
Proper education and training on alcohol safety is crucial for those who work in hospitality. This training, often referred to as Responsible Beverage Service( RBS) or alcohol awareness training, can teach employees how to intervene and de-escalate threatening situations.
Preventing these types of situations is why Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services( ABS) expanded its licensee education program in 2025. The new and improved program includes a partnership with the non-profit organization Safe Bars to provide free bystander intervention and de-escalation training in preventing sexual violence.
Brought to life in 2013, Safe Bars was created out of a need for greater safety in the hospitality industry. The non-profit has grown from training staff at DC bars to training teams and establishments nationally and internationally. Their curriculum has expanded to include bystander intervention, de-escalation and allyship training.
Provided as neighborhood-based workshops, the partnership program with Safe Bars gives licensed establishments tools to ensure their bars, restaurants and other event sites are safe, welcoming and respectful places for patrons and staff.
The program is free for participants, but space is limited. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register by calling the Montgomery County ABS Communications Center at 240−777−1900.
“ As the most diverse in the nation, Montgomery County prides itself in being a welcoming community with safe social places for everyone,” says Kathie Durbin, director of Montgomery County ABS.“ In support of this broader effort, and with funding from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, ABS is pleased to partner with Safe Bars to help hospitality professionals recognize the early signs of sexual aggression and take steps to intervene safely and effectively when they see it.”
After participating in Safe Bars Bystander Intervention Training’ s initial success, the Montgomery County police department and Commission for Women said they will continue to commit to future sessions, according to Durbin.
Funded by a National Alcohol Beverage Control Association award, the program has received strong support from hotels and other on-premises establishments, some of which sent multiple employees for the three-hour training. Montgomery County’ s police department and Commission for Women have also contributed to the program’ s success.
With the help of Safe Bars Bystander Intervention Training, participants have learned how to spot warning signs for sexual violence, brainstorming solutions for different types of risks and role-playing potential scenarios.
According to Jocelyn Rawat, communications manager at Montgomery County ABS, some participants are finding themselves deeply moved by the stories and statistics shared in the workshop, with everyone coming away with new perspectives and tools.
And Montgomery County ABS doesn’ t plan on stopping here. With the help of the StateWays Best Practices Awards, the organization continuously comes up with new innovations to help spread alcohol awareness and education.
18 StateWays • Fall 2025 www. stateways. com