"We recognize a connection between alcohol use and sexual assault," she said. "Just because someone's drunk doesn't mean you have the right to take advantage of them."
McKee cited a study released yesterday by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism that estimates alcohol use contributes to 70,000 cases of sexual assault or date rape every year.
To further educate bar patrons about the importance of receiving consent from potential partners, Players will launch a full-fledged informational rape campaign during its regular operating hours.
Rock said employees will be asked to wear T-shirts emblazoned with slogans about rape and consensual sex. Male employee's shirts will read "I love consensual sex," while female employee's shirts will contain the phrase "Sex without consent is rape."
Stickers, ribbons, coasters and brochures containing the same messages will also be distributed throughout the club. Video messages carrying the same phrases will be run periodically throughout the night as well.
Resource Center educator Laura Orndorff said the center had been planning to approach local drinking establishments since early August. In fact, bars and clubs had been the center's top targets for awareness for quite some time, making the alliance with Players perfect, Orndorff said.
"The stories (of assaults) always seem to start out at bars, with someone looking for a good time and then it ends in a sexual assault," she said. "We just wanted to bring awareness in a fun atmosphere."
Rock said he was aware that many employees and customers might feel uncomfortable wearing or seeing the T-shirts, especially in a social setting.
"The word rape is a harsh word, so some might not want to wear it or see it in public," he said. But, he added, most employees have cooperated and he is confident customers will also accept the T-shirts' message.
Laurie Rosenberger, co-director of Womyn's Concerns, was one of those who supported the initiative.
"Going into bars is a fabulous way to get to students," she said, noting most students are still unaware of the true facts and statistics behind rape. "Alcohol really complicates the definition of what consensual sex is."
Rock said the message the club and the women's center is sending to the public should be seen as loud and clear.
"You can dance with someone, you can get close with someone and you can get physical with someone," he said. "But that's where it should end."
McKee said she is hopeful the week-long campaign will spark future involvement from other area bars and clubs.
