What To Do If You Are Assaulted

• If you’ve been physically assaulted or verbally abused by a bouncer, get the bouncers identification number and their name.


• Get the names and contact details of any independent witnesses. Try to do this immediately because people can disperse quickly following an incident.


• Go to the nearest hospital with an Emergency Department to get your injuries assessed, ensure you get any medical treatment you need, and to have your injuries recorded by a professional for evidence. Get photos taken if injuries are visible.


• Contact a friend to provide support during the process: help you get the information you need, take you to the hospital and assist you to make notes before you forget.


• Contact the police to report the assault.

The Facts

Research estimates there are 170,000 door supervisors in England and Wales. ALL doorstaff have to be licensed and will break the law unless they are wearing a badge to show they have been trained and vetted.

• Bouncers are not police officers. They do not have powers that police officers have.


• The power of arrest for bouncers is no more than the power that every citizen has to hold someone until police arrive.


• The power is limited to arresting someone found committing an offence (caught red-handed), or where police have been called and have said to do so.


• Bouncers can only use ‘reasonable force’ to do their job, such as to control the situation. This does not mean they can assault you


• Bouncers must wear number identification tags on the job

Bouncers can refuse entry to any person based on ‘house rules’ but they cannot discriminate against you because of your race, disability, sexual preference or gender.

Some effects you might feel if you’ve been assaulted

• Scared and nervous to attend venues again


• Scared and nervous when you’re alone in public places


• Frustrated and angry


• Blame yourself because you were drinking or feel like you caused the situation


• Continuing physical injuries

You have rights too!

• You have the right to be safe.


• You have the right to seek further information and counselling if you are assaulted or if you believe you have been discriminated against.


• You have the right to make a statement to police against anyone who assaults you in a night venue.


• As a victim of crime you have the right to counselling, support and in some cases financial assistance.

Some Safety Tips

• If approached by a bouncer try to stay calm and avoid ‘escalating’ the situation.


• If ejected from a venue, try to leave in a taxi or travel along main streets in view of witnesses.


• After being ejected, avoid walking down quiet streets alone.


• If a bouncer is approaching a friend, stay close to them and stay calm.


• If a friend is ejected from a venue, go with them, make sure they are safe and stay together.


• Try to stay in sight of video surveillance cameras surrounding the venue. These can be checked by police later.


• Try not to drink excessively. Drinking too much can impair your judgement, affect your memory of events if something does happen, or make you an ‘easy target’.