Father’s Office bar in Little Burke St slammed for sexist toilet sign

A Melbourne bar has come under fire for a sexist toilet sign that shows a man peering over a toilet cubicle wall at a woman.

The offensive sign at Father's Office bar. Picture: Supplied

The management of a popular city bar is in damage control after the venue copped a backlash of outrage on social media over a sexist toilet sign.

The rest room sign at Father’s Office Speakeasy Bar and Restaurant on Little Burke St depicts a male peering over the wall into a female stall.

Outraged patron Ursula Baehr, who posted a photo of the sign on Twitter, said she will never visit the bar again even if the sign was taken down.

“There are plenty of other bars that don’t feel the need to put their misogynist views on display,” Ms Baehr said.

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“It’s making a joke out of sexual harassment, but it’s just not funny.

“If someone actually did what the sign is depicting, the bar would have a hard time managing that as their sign is literally encouraging this behaviour.”

Ms Baehr said she raised her concerns with Father’s Office staff but chose to expose the sign on social media after she received an “inadequate and unapologetic” response.

“I still believe they don’t understand how upsetting this sign can be, and is, for people,” she said.

“While I’m sure that they would claim that they have inclusive and respectful values, that sign implies that they don’t really get it if they think that’s funny.

“Jokes about harassment towards women aren’t a laughing matter, especially considering the current violence against women statistics in this country.”

Father’s Office staff have since taped the offending part of the sign.

The sign after part of it was taped over.

A spokesperson for the bar said the sign had been slated for removal for a while but did not say why.

Father’s Office did not respond to claims the sign was sexist.

Powerful hospitality union United Voice is calling for the sign to be removed immediately.

United Voice Victorian Secretary Jess Walsh said it gave the wrong message about sexual harassment.

“This sign is more than tone deaf, it’s reprehensible,” she said.

“Sexual harassment and assault in hospitality venues is off the chart.

“The last thing workers and patrons need is for venue owners to be putting up signs like these that appears to encourage that kind of behaviour.

“Father’s Office needs to permanently remove that sign and start putting the safety of workers and patrons as their number one priority.”

Ms Walsh said the hospitality union surveyed 424 hospitality workers over sexual harassment in 2017.

It found 89 per cent had been sexually harassed and 19 per cent sexually assaulted while at work.

Only 36 per cent of respondents believed their employer took the issue seriously.

“Responsible venues are embracing zero tolerance policies,” Ms Walsh said.

“More than 50 venues across the state have signed on to our Respect Is The Rule pledge to ensure they are a safe and respectful environment for patrons and staff.”