A public forum on making the island and its bars safer, especially for women, will meet Wednesday evening.

The gathering is intended for members of the public and of Vashon SAFE (sexual assault-free establishments). This group is a new collective of island bars and restaurants that is promoting a dialogue around alcohol impairment and sexual assault, according to The DoVE Project’s Betsey Archambault, who is spearheading this recent effort.

“This is really a conversation about the intersection of alcohol, drugs and sexual violence and making the island safer for everybody,” she added.

The group is working together to promote an environment of safety in island establishments and will be rolling out educational trainings to inform staff about drugs and alcohol as it relates with sexual assault, Archambault said, noting the group has short-medium- and long-term goals.

Currently, members of SAFE are working to create plans in the event someone is drugged or overly intoxicated and therefore more susceptible to sexual assault.

The meeting will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Vashon Library. Those who cannot attend will have another chance next Wednesday, Nov. 16, with the time and place still to be determined.

For more information, contact Archambault at betsey@vashondoveproject.org