Bar Security Knew Assailant Was in Restroom

Alice in Over-the-Rhine security was aware that a man was inside a restroom with a woman shortly before she was sexually assaulted in the early morning hours of April 26. The bar's management initially described the incident as "nuanced" in a social media statement on May 24, stating their security had checked on the individuals twice while they were inside the restroom for five minutes. Management acknowledged a "policy failure" for allowing two guests into the same restroom and vowed "much stricter enforcement" of a one-person-per-restroom policy.

In response to the assault, Alice has implemented an overhauled security training program under a new manager and plans to redesign its restrooms. Security protocols are being enhanced to improve focus on safety. The bar is now "firmly" enforcing a one-in-one-out policy for the entire restroom area.

The bar's initial statement faced significant criticism on social media, with many deeming it tone-deaf and dismissive of the victim's experience. Management later clarified their intent was not to minimize the incident but to help patrons feel safer, explaining the necessity of the one-guest-per-stall rule. The police investigation into the assault is ongoing, with authorities having previously released and later removed a surveillance image of a suspect without further comment.