Yesterday, ABC journalists Ninah Kopel and Adelaide Miller published a report accusing Sydney hospitality giant Merivale inadequately supported sexual assault victims. They spoke to patrons and “dozens” of former staff as part of their investigation, which alleges male staff members putting female patrons in unsafe environments, on-the-clock drug use, management teams failing to adequately address complaints and a culture that “sexualises young female staff”.
Today the pair published a follow-up, revealing the company screened uncensored CCTV footage taken at multiple venues at its annual awards night, The Merivales, in 2017.
Individual clips in the cut-together video – which “went for about five minutes” – showed Merivale guests having sex on premises and publicly urinating, as well as falling down stairs, exposing themselves and walking into doors. “Big Brother is always watching” was written across the video.
The ABC obtained footage of the awards-night screening after two female ex-employees recorded snippets and sent them in.
“Imagine if you were that person [who] didn’t know the security cameras were capturing all of that,” one of the ex-employees told the ABC. “Let alone [that it’s] going to be played to publicly embarrass you in front of every single Merivale staff.”
A Merivale spokesperson told the ABC: “Merivale venues are comprehensively monitored by CCTV, a matter which is notified to patrons and staff with clear signage to that effect … It is lawful for Merivale to capture this footage and there can be no reasonable expectation of privacy for any patron attending.”
Merivale told the ABC that screening was “part of a private, invitation-only event” and that “no complaints were received” about the video. Merivale did not detail whether consent was sought from the individuals in the CCTV footage or who authorised the screening.
The Merivales is an annual staff awards night celebrating standout performers in the company. Awards include employee and venue of the year.
The ABC’s reporting on Merivale comes soon after the Sydney Morning Herald’s Swillhouse exposé, which detailed similar allegations: a boys’ club mentality that failed to adequately support staff, especially women, when faced with complaints of unsafe work environments and sexual misconduct. Swillhouse founder Anton Forte took to Instagram yesterday to issue an apology.
The ABC is continuing to investigate the hospitality industry. If you wish to share a story, contact ABC journalist Adelaide Miller at miller.adelaide@proton.me.
Broadsheet has contacted Merivale for comment.
If you’ve been the victim of sexual harassment in a hospitality workplace or witnessed an incident, read activist Jamie Bucirde’s advice on navigating the situation.
If you would like to speak with someone about an experience you have had, or would like more information, please call 1800Respect on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au.
You can also alert Broadsheet to misbehaviour of any kind in the hospitality industry via report@broadsheet.com.au. We cannot act on specific tips, but your valuable information may inform future coverage.
