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Safety Protocols

Safety at Bathhouse is what makes everything else possible. The sweating, the connecting, the letting go, being slutty, taking up space: none of it happens without trust. Trust that the person next to you on the dancefloor has your back. Trust that if something goes wrong, someone will be there. Trust that this space was built with you in mind. That trust doesn't happen by accident.

Here's how we build it.

Safety Starts at the Door

Safety at Bathhouse begins before you ever set foot on the dancefloor.

Our door team is there to protect the space. Everyone who enters will be questioned. Have you been here before? Have you read our manifesto? Do you know who's playing tonight? These aren't hoops to jump through. They're how we make sure the people coming in are here because they want to be part of this community, not just to observe its members.

If you can't answer or don't care to, you don't get in.

Our dress code works the same way. No effort, no entry. Think sexy, think rave. Not Springboks jerseys, not the outfit you wore to work. The way you show up tells us something about why you're here. We want people who are present, intentional, and ready to be part of something.

Everyone who makes it past the door gets a rundown of our general guidelines before they head in. Most importantly, consent. What it means, what it looks like, and what we expect from every single person in the space. We do this because we want consent to be the first thing on your mind when you walk in. Not an afterthought, not something you're reminded of only when something goes wrong. Before the music, before the dancefloor, before anything else, we make sure everyone is on the same page.

The door isn't about exclusion. It's about protection. Everything we've built inside depends on who we let through it.

Consent

Consent is verbal, enthusiastic, and ongoing. It can be withdrawn at any time.

Ask before you touch.

Ask before you photograph.

If you're unsure, ask again.

"The vibe" isn't consent. Intoxication isn't consent. Silence isn't consent.

Consent is built into how Bathhouse functions. Every person that enters our space is reminded of our guidelines and the rules around consent. Any step outside of this framework may trigger intervention by a member of our awareness team.

Our Awareness Team

From the door to the dancefloor and everywhere in between, our awareness team is there for you. A crew of fully sober, trained volunteers whose job is to care.

They're not security. They're not therapists. They're facilitators, the bridge between you and whatever you need. Water, a calm space, medical attention, or just someone to check in with. They're trained in overdose response and first response to sexual violence. You'll recognise them. They're visible, approachable, and moving through the party all night.

If something feels off for you or someone around you, find them.

Every person on the Bathhouse team, not just the awareness team, receives harm reduction training. Care isn't one team's job. It runs through everything we do.

Drugs & Alcohol

We operate from a harm reduction framework, not criminalisation. We know people use substances. Our goal is to keep you as safe as possible while you do.

Look after your body and your friends. If something goes wrong for you or someone near you, find an awareness team member. They're trained to respond without judgment and will get you to what you need.

We do not call the police for drug-related incidents. If someone needs medical attention, we call paramedics.

We're working on providing more practical harm reduction resources such as access to Narcan and testing kits, but unfortunately these are difficult to access in South Africa. For now, what we can provide is trusted information and safer use practices (click here!) accessible on our website and socials before every event, and a trained awareness team on the night that can link anyone who needs help to medical attention without judgment.

Read them before you come.

Violence

If someone becomes physically violent toward you or anyone around you, our awareness team will prioritise de-escalation and immediate safety. Depending on the situation, this may involve venue security. In extreme cases, police may be involved, but only when someone's life is in immediate danger, paramedics require police presence, or the person harmed explicitly asks for it.

We understand that police contact can cause additional harm, especially for QTPOC community members. We make that call carefully, collaboratively, and never automatically.

Sexual Violence

If you or someone near you experiences sexual violence, find an awareness team member immediately.

They will:

Let you know they're there to help, not to take over
Check if there's any immediate medical danger
Bring you to our designated safe zone, a calm low-stimulation space away from the party
Connect you with the Rape Crisis Helpline (021 447 9762), where a trained counsellor will guide next steps

Rape Crisis recommends survivors go to a Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC). The nearest is at Karl Bremer Hospital in Bellville. TCCs provide specialist care including counselling, medical treatment, and access to the justice system, all free of charge. If you'd prefer not to go to the TCC, Mediclinic Gardens is an alternative, though it's a private hospital and costs will apply.

You don't have to decide anything immediately. Our awareness team will stay with you, support your choices, and follow your lead.

After the Party

Harm reduction doesn't end when the music stops.

If something happened to you on the night, or you witnessed something, you can report it through the link on our socials and website after every event. You can leave your contact details if you'd like us to follow up, or report anonymously. We investigate every report and respond within two weeks.

If we need to take action, banning someone, reaching out to the venue, changing a policy, we do. We keep formal records of every incident and its outcome, and we track patterns over time so we can keep getting better.

Our Limits and Why we are Honest About Them

We can't prevent all harm, or separate our party from the rest of the world and its context. We won't pretend otherwise.

What we can do is respond with care and accountability every time. Our awareness team isn't a replacement for professional medical care or counselling. They're the bridge to get you there, with as little additional trauma as possible.

We're always learning. If we fall short, tell us.

Contact Us

Bathhouse Collective

Bathhouse
Collective