Ex-London night czar Amy Lamé has criticized the closure of LGBTQ+ club Heaven by Westminster council, supported by the Metropolitan Police. The club was stripped of its license and ordered to shut pending a full hearing after an alleged rape incident involving a bouncer. The victim claimed she was turned away for being drunk, then the bouncer approached her, took her to a car, and raped her. The alleged victim tried to report the incident to security staff, but they dismissed her. Lamé expressed concerns about the closure of Heaven, stating that it is being held to double standards and targeted by institutional homophobia.
In addition to the rape incident, the Met Police report mentioned another incident where members of Heaven’s security team were filmed assaulting a customer in the street. The police felt that the venue failed to operate in a safe and responsible manner, putting the public at significant risk. The spokesperson for Heaven mentioned that they are considering appealing the decision to close the venue.
It is important to address the safety and security measures in place at nightlife venues to prevent such incidents from occurring. Training security staff to handle situations like these with care and professionalism is essential to ensure the safety of all patrons. Additionally, creating a safe environment where victims feel comfortable reporting incidents without fear of being dismissed is crucial in addressing and preventing sexual assaults in nightlife settings.
It is also important for authorities to conduct thorough investigations into such incidents and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. By taking these steps, we can work towards creating a safer and more inclusive nightlife environment for everyone.
