Safety fears on nights out after Heaven security guard arrested over alleged rape near venue
With the Met Police's concerns into the nightclub Heaven, questions have been raised for women’s safety in the capital and how this will impact how women feel in LGBTQ+ spaces
The London nightclub Heaven remains closed after one of its security guards was arrested on suspicion of raping a woman who was refused entry – deepening concerns within the LBGTQ+ community over their safety on nights out.
Heaven owner Jeremy Joseph posted a statement on Instagram, stating: “Our priority is to put new procedures in place to make sure nothing like this can happen again.”
Westminster Council made the decision to suspend Heaven’s premises license for 28 days, forcing it to close, until a hearing can take place.
In a statement to the council, the Metropolitan Police said: “It is felt that the venue has failed to operate in a safe and responsible manner and has placed the public at significant risk.”
The Met says the victim told officers that she tried to report the alleged rape to a Heaven employee: “The victim states that this member of staff told her that she was too drunk and that she should come back and report it the following day.”
The accused security guard was allowed to continue working at the venue for 10 days after the woman made her initial report to the police earlier this month, before detectives arrested him.
‘Heaven is fighting for its life at the moment’
Heaven are actively trying to appeal to the council to reopen its doors following this allegation.
In its formal submission to the hearing, the club claims:
“Heaven is more than a LGBT venue, it’s a safe haven for the LGBT community.”
“Yes we have failed the girl who was [allegedly] assaulted but this is 44 years of LGBT history.”
Heaven has highlighted new security measures to ensure the ongoing safety of the public:
“We will no longer trust a security firm to make sure that all information about individual security is correct.”
It is also vowing to create a security code of conduct.
Both Westminster Council and the Met Police have declined to comment on the inquiry or the wider concern about the safeguarding of women.
The Council report also states there was another incident outside Heaven in May where “three members of security team were filmed assaulting a customer in the street.”
The police expressed concern over Heaven’s handling of safeguarding in both instances.
How will this allegation affect the legacy of one of London’s most popular LBGTQ+ venues?
Red Godfrey-Sagoo, CEO of Rape Crisis South London, told City News that venues across the capital that were once seen as places where people could relax and have fun are now claiming it’s “impossible to provide a completely safe space.”
Mr Godfrey-Sagoo highlighted what he feels is a greater challenge facing society – that for women, nowhere can be labelled completely safe.
A BBC News report revealed that a rape is reported every hour in London. But it does not reflect the full scale of the issue, as survivors, who for many reasons, have not come forward.
Mr Godfrey-Sagoo said this is not surprising: “This year alone we have seen approximately 900 new referrals.
“We are sadly not shocked at the prevalence of sexual violence that exists within London.”
‘People will now connect what happened and being unsafe with a gay bar because it’s so well known’
City News spoke with members of the public about their safeguarding concerns and how this rape allegation may affect how they feel going to LGBT bars and clubs.
Most of the women that we spoke to expressed a preference for attending LBGTQ+ venues, but emphasised that nightlife in the capital is never fully enjoyed without caution.
“I would always feel a little unsafe [particularly with] security guards”, said one interviewee.
‘Large number of victims raped by someone they met or did not know in bars and clubs’
Georgina Clifford is a specialist clinical and research psychologist who has also worked at Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centre for several years.
She told City News about the need for better safeguarding practices.
“There were definitely a number of central London nightclubs where the reporting of rape was higher,” she claims.
“I saw a large number of clients – who had been raped by someone they met or did not know in bars and clubs.”
She adds: “We need to talk more about sexual assault. There needs to be greater public awareness.”
‘The need for accountability, safeguarding, and cultural change within the nightlife sector’
The Night Time Industries Association’s Silvana Kill told City News a “collective effort” is needed to change nightlife culture.
She says this can be achieved through “meaningful partnerships between venues, local authorities, law enforcement, and community organisations” to create an “environment where everyone feels safe and valued.”
These allegations involving Heaven brings to light a much larger issue of how to better protect the public, particularly women, on nights out.
A full licensing hearing will be held in December, and the result of the appeal will determine whether Heaven will reopen in the near future.
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HeadlineSafety fears on nights out after Heaven security guard arrested over alleged rape near venue
Short HeadlineSafety fears on nights out after 'Heaven security guard rape'
StandfirstWith the Met Police's concerns into the nightclub Heaven, questions have been raised for women’s safety in the capital and how this will impact how women feel in LGBTQ+ spaces
The London nightclub Heaven remains closed after one of its security guards was arrested on suspicion of raping a woman who was refused entry – deepening concerns within the LBGTQ+ community over their safety on nights out.
Heaven owner Jeremy Joseph posted a statement on Instagram, stating: “Our priority is to put new procedures in place to make sure nothing like this can happen again.”
Westminster Council made the decision to suspend Heaven’s premises license for 28 days, forcing it to close, until a hearing can take place.
In a statement to the council, the Metropolitan Police said: “It is felt that the venue has failed to operate in a safe and responsible manner and has placed the public at significant risk.”
The Met says the victim told officers that she tried to report the alleged rape to a Heaven employee: “The victim states that this member of staff told her that she was too drunk and that she should come back and report it the following day.”
The accused security guard was allowed to continue working at the venue for 10 days after the woman made her initial report to the police earlier this month, before detectives arrested him.
‘Heaven is fighting for its life at the moment’
Heaven are actively trying to appeal to the council to reopen its doors following this allegation.
In its formal submission to the hearing, the club claims:
“Heaven is more than a LGBT venue, it’s a safe haven for the LGBT community.”
“Yes we have failed the girl who was [allegedly] assaulted but this is 44 years of LGBT history.”
Heaven has highlighted new security measures to ensure the ongoing safety of the public:
“We will no longer trust a security firm to make sure that all information about individual security is correct.”
It is also vowing to create a security code of conduct.
Both Westminster Council and the Met Police have declined to comment on the inquiry or the wider concern about the safeguarding of women.
The Council report also states there was another incident outside Heaven in May where “three members of security team were filmed assaulting a customer in the street.”
The police expressed concern over Heaven’s handling of safeguarding in both instances.
How will this allegation affect the legacy of one of London’s most popular LBGTQ+ venues?
Red Godfrey-Sagoo, CEO of Rape Crisis South London, told City News that venues across the capital that were once seen as places where people could relax and have fun are now claiming it’s “impossible to provide a completely safe space.”
Mr Godfrey-Sagoo highlighted what he feels is a greater challenge facing society – that for women, nowhere can be labelled completely safe.
A BBC News report revealed that a rape is reported every hour in London. But it does not reflect the full scale of the issue, as survivors, who for many reasons, have not come forward.
Mr Godfrey-Sagoo said this is not surprising: “This year alone we have seen approximately 900 new referrals.
“We are sadly not shocked at the prevalence of sexual violence that exists within London.”
‘People will now connect what happened and being unsafe with a gay bar because it’s so well known’
City News spoke with members of the public about their safeguarding concerns and how this rape allegation may affect how they feel going to LGBT bars and clubs.
Most of the women that we spoke to expressed a preference for attending LBGTQ+ venues, but emphasised that nightlife in the capital is never fully enjoyed without caution.
“I would always feel a little unsafe [particularly with] security guards”, said one interviewee.
‘Large number of victims raped by someone they met or did not know in bars and clubs’
Georgina Clifford is a specialist clinical and research psychologist who has also worked at Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centre for several years.
She told City News about the need for better safeguarding practices.
“There were definitely a number of central London nightclubs where the reporting of rape was higher,” she claims.
“I saw a large number of clients – who had been raped by someone they met or did not know in bars and clubs.”
She adds: “We need to talk more about sexual assault. There needs to be greater public awareness.”
‘The need for accountability, safeguarding, and cultural change within the nightlife sector’
The Night Time Industries Association’s Silvana Kill told City News a “collective effort” is needed to change nightlife culture.
She says this can be achieved through “meaningful partnerships between venues, local authorities, law enforcement, and community organisations” to create an “environment where everyone feels safe and valued.”
These allegations involving Heaven brings to light a much larger issue of how to better protect the public, particularly women, on nights out.
A full licensing hearing will be held in December, and the result of the appeal will determine whether Heaven will reopen in the near future.
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