Sign language
Kai Villbrandt and Iris Hinze campaign for awareness, Image: SWHT/Raveling
Clubs, concerts, pubs, and bars bring people together. In order to protect these meeting places and deal with possible discrimination, sexism, violence, and assaults, many institutions are establishing awareness structures.
The term awareness means treating each other with appreciation and respect – paying attention to the needs of everyone. Behind the term are concepts and strategies for providing adequate support to those affected by discrimination, assault, or other awareness situations. Bremen is a pioneer in applying this concept to leisure and cultural activities, as Iris Hinze, co-director of Clubverstärker e. V., and Kai Villbrandt, Managing Director of L'Unità Security, explain in an interview with Kai Stührenberg, State Councillor to the Senator for Economic Affairs, Ports and Transformation.
Kai Villbrandt has been self-employed since 2019 and has specialized his security company in awareness, among other things – making it the first in Germany. He works closely with Hinze from the Bremen club association Clubverstärker, who has been passionate about awareness since 2017.
Kai Stührenberg: Mr. Villbrandt, what does the term awareness mean in your context?
Villbrandt: In our context, awareness encompasses services that focus on caring for those affected. This means that we look after those affected in various situations, be it in the event of assaults of any kind, overconsumption, or generally when people feel unwell while partying.
Aren't the police, emergency services, or security staff there for that kind of thing?
Villbrandt: I have personally experienced situations where a person was being harassed by another person, but for various reasons did not want them to be removed from the premises. Sometimes also out of fear that the perpetrator would be waiting for them outside. This often discourages those affected from coming forward. In such transitional situations, it is crucial that we first listen, believe the person concerned, and then make sure that their needs are met in the best possible way.
Is this a growing problem in leisure activities?
Hinze: Discriminatory structures such as sexism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia don't just take place in nightlife but are a problem for society as a whole. But we should be particularly vigilant in nightlife and in environments where it is crowded, anonymous, or dark. It is then not only important to focus on perpetrators, but also to ensure that the people affected are supported and do not stand alone. Awareness of this is increasing.
In conversation with State Councillor Kai Stührenberg, Image: SWHT/Raveling
So, you also take care of the needs of those affected. How did this development of awareness concepts in Bremen's cultural scene come about?
Hinze: The topic of awareness already gained importance in Bremen in 2017, particularly in the cultural sector. We then launched the Gemeinsam.Sicherer.Feiern. www.awareness-bremen.de campaign with Clubverstärker in 2018. The first awareness training course for club and bar staff then took place, and we also drew attention to the awareness work in clubs. Since then, the concept has been continuously developed.
Villbrandt:In 2021, we started working in Bremen's Viertel district with our specially trained awareness teams and have also been out and about at the Breminale and Freimarkt since then. You can always recognize our teams of two by the purple vests. We hand out business cards, can be reached by phone, and announce online where we are.
Is it the normal security personnel or the medical service that takes on these tasks?
Villbrandt: Paramedics are generally not as comprehensively trained on a psychological level. Security services concentrate on controlling disruptive factors.
Is that why you decided to train staff in this area yourself?
Villbrandt: Yes, in 2019 we recognized that there was a need for this type of service and responded by being one of the first companies in Germany to offer this service. We employ staff for both the security and awareness areas. Our employees have the opportunity to work in both to get to know different perspectives.
It is important that our team has diverse experiences of discrimination, be it due to migration background, gender, or sexual orientation. At the same time, we must ensure that these personal experiences do not lead to biased actions. In our work, we make sure that our employees are able to react appropriately.
Awareness as a service is an additional offer. Can clubs and pubs afford this?
Hinze: Not every club can afford to hire external teams, especially given the financial challenges that already exist due to price increases in the music event sector. It would be unrealistic to expect everyone to be able to incur additional expenditure in this area.
It must therefore also be possible to achieve these goals from existing resources, whether through internal training or other measures. For example, the evening manager could also be the contact person for awareness or special teams could be created within the clubs to meet these needs. Together with L'Unità, we offer regular awareness workshops at the Clubverstärker.
We have also compiled awareness checklists for visitors, organizers, and awareness teams on the website of the “Gemeinsam.Sicherer.Feiern” campaign.
Awareness teams are also out and about at festivals such as the Freimarkt, photo: WFB/Ginter
How is your offer being received?
Hinze: The current generation that is growing up in this event scene has experience with awareness and is also demanding appropriate measures. And the clubs recognize the problem; they notice that services of this kind are also being requested by visitors.
Villbrandt: The demand for training has increased enormously. We offer joint training courses and workshops that cover topics such as sexualized violence, legal aspects, and overconsumption. The organizers recognize the need and enable their employees to take part in our training courses.
What are your hopes for the future?
Villbrandt: Awareness is a sensitive topic and adequate staff training is crucial. We therefore need standards and certifications for awareness, because otherwise quality cannot be guaranteed. And that would be fatal: trust plays a crucial role, as it is important that guests feel that their well-being and safety are taken seriously.
Thank you very much for the interview!