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More than 100 UK music festivals join campaign to tackle sexual violence
One in five festival-goers haven experienced sexual assault or harassment at a UK festival
Over 100 music festivals in the UK have signed up to a campaign that aims to tackle sexual violence.
A total of 103 festivals – Leeds, Reading and Latitude included – have committed to the Association of Independent Festivals‘ (AIF) relaunched Safer Spaces at Festivals charter, which promises that ‘all allegations of sexual harassment, assault and violence will be taken seriously, acted upon promptly and investigated’.
The charter, originally launched in 2017, has been updated with guidance and input from organisations including Rape Crisis England and Wales.
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The campaign also aims to adopt a ‘survivor-led approach’ to tackling sexual violence and to spread key messages about consent and bystander intervention.
According to Rape Crisis England and Wales, one in five women have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult, with the highest ever number of rapes recorded in 2021.
The Safer Spaces at Festivals charter also cites a YouGov poll from 2018 which reported that one in five festival-goers had experienced sexual assault or harassment at a UK festival.
Kelly Bennaton, the AIF’s communication’s officer, said it was ‘encouraging’ to see the commitment of festival organisers.
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She said: “Festival-goers deserve to know that if they report sexual assault they will be listened to and believed, and that those working on site are equipped to handle all reports with knowledge and empathy.
“They also deserve to know that festivals are taking a proactive approach in preventing sexual assault, and that abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Phoebe Rodwell, the AIF’s membership and operations coordinator, “That’s why it’s important that we renew the Safer Spaces campaign in 2022 with up-to-date messaging, resources and practices, to prevent sexual violence and promote a survivor-led approach, helping festival organisers to fulfil their duty of care at events.”
You can read more about the campaign over on the AIF website.