Rebuilding Hope, Kitsap County’s service provider for victims of sexual assault, is partnering with local chocolatier L’Atelier TR, to combat incidents in the workplace, specifically the hospitality industry.

The collaboration aims to raise awareness and provide support for the prevention of sexual harassment and assault at work, a news release says.

The business was recently confronted with instances of sexual harassment within its own company, the release adds. In response, the chocolatier has committed to becoming an advocate for change in workplace culture.

Peter Crabtree, the company’s owner, wants to focus on trust and respect, values that the new partnership seeks to promote throughout the hospitality sector. To help pay for this effort, the company will donate 15% of gross sales from specific items to support Rebuilding Hope’s outreach programs.

Funds raised will: Promote Rebuilding Hope’s programs for survivors of sexual violence in Kitsap; Encourage conversations within the hospitality industry about sexual harassment; Expand Rebuilding Hope’s outreach efforts and donor base in Kitsap; and Support the long-term goal of funding a full-time Prevention Advocate position for the region.

“After dealing with harassment in our own company, we realized that this problem is pervasive in the hospitality industry,” Crabtree said. “We wanted to be part of the solution, and this partnership with Rebuilding Hope allows us to take meaningful action.”

Rebuilding Hope, a community-based nonprofit, provides advocacy and therapy to victim-survivors of sexual abuse, as well as prevention education to the community at large. For details, visit www.RebuildingHope.org

L’Atelier TR is located at 380 Winslow Way E Suite 102 on Bainbridge Island.