Ulster County Bystanders Against Sexual Assault (UCBASA) Program Trains Bar Staff To Help Prevent Sexual Assault
Kingston, N.Y.-- Yesterday, County Executive Mike Hein was joined by Kingston Mayor Steve Noble, Kingston Police Chief Egidio Tinti, members of Ulster County’s Crime Victims Assistance Program (CVAP), and proprietor Tom Keegan at Keegan Ales to launch the ground-breaking Ulster County Bystanders Against Sexual Assault (UCBASA) program in Kingston. UCBASA is the first program in New York State to provide free “bystander” training to bar staff with the goal of proactively deterring sexual assaults by providing those on the frontlines with the skills necessary to intervene in situations that could lead to a sexual assault. Additionally, the program trains participants about consent and sex offender behavior.
The Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program launched UCBASA this past January in the college-town of New Paltz and has trained five establishments and over 40 employees. Establishments that have already received training include: P&G’s Restaurant & Bar, McGillicuddy’s Restaurant & Tap House, Murphy’s Restaurant & Pub, Bacchus Restaurant, and Snug Harbor Bar and Grill. Bars, Taverns and Restaurants that complete UCBASA training will receive a certificate designed to make patrons aware that the establishment cares about preventing sexual assault and the community at large.
Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive
“UCBASA is an unprecedented initiative to empower the owners and employees of Ulster County’s taverns, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, to not only recognize the warning signs but also to intervene in situations where it appears that an individual may be at-risk of sexual assault,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “It is an unfortunate reality that in the United States a sexual assault occurs every 98 seconds and that alcohol consumption plays a role in nearly one-half of all reported sexual assaults. The UCBASA program can help impact these statistics here in Ulster County and beyond. I am proud of the hard-work and dedication of Sarah Kramer-Harrison, Cynthia Craft and the team at Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance. I would also like thank Mayor Steve Noble and Police Chief Egidio Tinti for their valuable help in expanding this critical program to Kingston.”
Mayor Steve Noble, City of Kingston
“The BASA training will be a great opportunity to provide more education and awareness for employees at our local establishments to identify and prevent potential situations that could lead to sexual assault,” said Mayor Steve Noble. “I’m happy to be collaborating with County Executive Hein and the Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program on this important program.”
Police Chief Egidio F. Tinti, City of Kingston
“I’m pleased to be working with Ulster County Executive Mike Hein and the Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program to help bring this initiative to Kingston, said City of Kingston Police Chief Egidio Tinti. “The training is vital to educating bar staff in preventing sexual assaults. Education and training are important components to making Kingston safer.”
Sarah Kramer-Harrison, M.Ed., Ulster County Crime Victims Counselor/Educator
“With the increased awareness on sexual assaults in the media and the growing interest in bar interventions we thought it was time to look at creating something that meets the needs of Ulster County,” said Sarah Kramer-Harrison, M.Ed., Ulster County Crime Victims Counselor/Educator. “With the support of Ulster County Executive Michael Hein, we were able to make this a reality. Cynthia Craft and I were pleased to help develop this important program. UCBASA is an awareness program where we bring knowledge of offender behavior, local statistics, and appropriate interventions that bar staff can use to keep patrons safe. Interest in this program has grown exponentially and again with the support of the community, County Executive Hein, Mayor Noble, and Kingston Police Chief Tinti we are bringing this innovative training to Kingston, NY.”
UCBASA will hold its first training on June 26, 2018 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Kingston SUNY Center, 94 Mary’s Ave., Kingston, NY 12401. Meetings will continue to take place on the third Tuesday of each month thereafter. If you or your establishment wish to participate in the training, please RSVP to Sarah Kramer-Harrison at Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Programs via email at skra[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us or via phone at 845-340-3445.
Pictured Above: (From left) Sarah Kramer-Harrison, Ulster County Crime Victims Counselor/Educator; Tom Keegan, Owner of Keegan Ales; Sharon Lyons, Ulster County Crime Victims Senior Counselor; County Executive Mike Hein; City of Kingston Mayor Steve Noble; Nancy Schmidt, Director of Ulster County Probation; City of Kingston Police Chief Egidio F. Tinti.
