Introducing 86 Harassment

Building Safer, More Respectful Spaces in Beverage Alcohol and Hospitality

In 2024, the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries witnessed the launch of 86 Harassment, a groundbreaking, industry-wide resource dedicated to fostering safer and more respectful workplaces. The initiative represents the culmination of more than three years of collaboration, volunteer time, creative problem-solving, and a shared desire to build a better future for the industry.

ORIGINS OF 86 HARASSMENT 

The 86 Harassment effort is a key initiative of Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS), the leading mission-driven global membership organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol and alternative beverage industry. As a global community, WOTVS is committed to addressing challenges that have long impacted women in this historically male-dominated field and to creating a more equitable and inclusive industry. Recognizing that harassment and sexual violence remain pervasive issues across industries, WOTVS took action by developing a tangible solution.

The name 86 Harassment is a deliberate play on words familiar to anyone in hospitality. In restaurant and bar lingo, to “86” something means to remove it from the menu or cut it out entirely. Applied here, it’s a bold statement of purpose — to remove harassment of any form from the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries.

The urgency for change reached a peak in 2020 when the New York Times published an exposé on sexual harassment and assault within the Court of Master Sommeliers.¹ The report triggered widespread reflection across the sector, and WOTVS responded with a Pledge of Commitment to End Sexual Harassment in Beverage Alcohol, signaling the need for immediate industry action. Shortly thereafter, WOTVS partnered with the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN),³ North America’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, to deliver customized training programs open to the public and at no cost to participants.

The movement gained further momentum as the beer industry faced its own reckoning, with accounts of harassment shared publicly on social media. It became clear to WOTVS that a more robust industry-wide response was necessary — not just from large corporations with human resource teams and compliance departments, but from every corner of hospitality, including small wineries, breweries, and distilleries that often lack funding for such resources.

Recognizing this gap, a small team from Pernod Ricard North America, led by Kayla Campbell and Michelle Cubbon, approached WOTVS with a vision to collaborate. Together, they envisioned a program designed for both employers and employees, with practical, accessible tools laying the foundation for what would eventually become 86 Harassment. With financial support and strategic guidance from Pernod Ricard, and with additional industry sponsorship from Brown-Forman, The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), and Spirits Canada, the initiative officially launched in March 2024.

“To truly prevent harassing conduct, employers need to drive an industry-wide effort,” Cubbon said. “86 Harassment brings this mission to life by providing guidance and resources to all employers, regardless of size. It also provides resources for victims so they may be supported and understand their options to report harassment.”

 

WHAT 86 HARASSMENT OFFERS

Launched on a standalone website, 86 Harassment is completely free and accessible to those in the alcohol/alternative beverage and hospitality industries. The website is available in English, Spanish, and French. The program was designed as an industry-wide resource for organizations of all sizes, combining prevention education with survivor support. Key components include:

CUSTOMIZED FREE TRAINING SESSIONS:Conducted by experts from organizations such as RAINN, Safe Bars Inc., and Safe Bar Network, these programs focus on bystander intervention, setting boundaries, active allyship, and creating safer communities. The curriculum is regularly updated to address emerging challenges.⁴

CONFIDENTIAL HOTLINE AND CHAT:Operated by trained specialists at RAINN, the hotline is available 24/7 in English and Spanish. It provides crisis intervention, empathetic listening, and connections to local service providers who understand the unique needs of hospitality and beverage alcohol workers.⁵

CENTRALIZED RESOURCE HUB:A digital library filled with glossaries, educational content, downloadable posters, handouts, and toolkits, ensuring that businesses of every size have access to best-in-class resources for prevention and response.⁶

This holistic approach not only helps companies implement effective policies but also equips individuals with practical skills to intervene and prevent incidents before they occur.

“TO TRULY PREVENT HARASSING CONDUCT, EMPLOYERS NEED TO DRIVE AN INDUSTRY-WIDE EFFORT.” — MICHELLE CUBBON Pernod Ricard North America

IMPACT ON THE INDUSTRY

The launch of 86 Harassment has already had measurable impact across the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries. Small businesses that once lacked access to robust HR infrastructure are now able to implement clear policies and connect their staff to expert training. Larger organizations, meanwhile, have embraced the program to strengthen existing cultures of safety and accountability.

“Sexual harassment has absolutely no place in our industry,” said Chris Swonger, DISCUS president and CEO. “On behalf of our member companies, we are fully invested in this work, alongside our partners at Women of the Vine & Spirits, to provide this best-in-class prevention and response education. The mission is to continue to build an industry community that is safe, open, and inclusive for all.”

Catherine Eaton, Vice President of Finance and Operations at Spirits Canada, echoed this sentiment. “Empowering victims of sexism, workplace harassment, and violence starts with recognizing their voices, meeting their needs, and turning compassion into action,” she said. “Through the meaningful work of the 86 Harassment Council, the industry is creating a future where support leads to change.”

LOOKING AHEAD

The future of 86 Harassment lies in continued growth and collaboration. The initiative is committed to expanding its training programs, developing new modules to address evolving challenges, and adding more translated materials to its resource hub to reach wider audiences. By working closely with sponsors, council members, and industry partners, 86 Harassment aims to embed prevention and support deeply into the fabric of the beverage alcohol and hospitality industry.

Council members serve as champions for the initiative’s mission, ensuring that harassment prevention and response remain priorities at every level of the industry.

“WOTVS has been more than a network for me; it’s been a catalyst for growth, connection, and transformation. That same spirit drives my work with the 86 Harassment Council, where I have the honor of serving as a founding member,” said council member Melissa Linehan, northeast region president at RNDC. “This initiative is especially close to my heart. It’s about more than policy — it’s about protecting people, elevating voices, and creating a culture where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered. RNDC’s sponsorship of 86 Harassment reflects our deep commitment to these values, which are also championed through Athena, our associate resource group focused on advancing women. I am proud to stand alongside WOTVS in driving meaningful change across our industry and beyond.”

Leah Kely, manager of global alcohol responsibility at Brown-Forman, said her employer and its brands recognize the unique role council members play ni cultivating safe and enjoyable environments for both consumers and industry members.

"That's why we proudly support industry platforms like 86 Harassment," she said. "By increasing access to education and resources for hospitality members we're able ot en- sure that a safe night out is the norm and the expectation."

“BY INCREASING ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND RESOURCES FOR HOSPITALITY MEMBERS WE’RE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT A SAFE NIGHT OUT IS THE NORM AND THE EXPECTATION.”— LEAH KELLY, Manager of Global Alcohol Responsibility, Brown-Forman

A SAFER, STRONGER INDUSTRY

The hospitality and alcohol/alternative beverage industries have always been about more than food and drinks — they are about creating meaningful human connection. That connection can only thrive in an environment where safety and respect are guaranteed for customers and employees alike. By equipping individuals with tools, policies, and resources, 86 Harassment is helping the industry move beyond awareness to concrete, sustainable change.

The program continues to invite industry sponsors and partners to join in its mission and to commit to continued access at no cost for industry members. With collective action and shared responsibility, 86 Harassment stands as a testament to what is possible when an industry unites to confront its most difficult challenges.

For more information, or to learn how to get involved, visit 86harassment.com or contact info@86harassment.com.