100+ festivals join commitment to tackle sexual violence
More than 100 festivals in the UK have committed to the campaign
Last updated 29th May 2022
103 festivals across the UK have committed to tackling sexual violence including Reading and Leeds, Boardmasters and The National Eisteddfod of Wales.
Latitude, Boardmasters and Isle of Wight Festival have also signed up to the Association of Independent Festivals' Safer Spaces at Festivals campaign.
The initiative has been relaunched, after originally being introduced in 2017, with the festivals taking a survivor-led approach.
It states that all allegations of sexual harassment, assault and violence will be taken seriously, acted upon promptly and investigated.
The charter has had input from charities and groups, including Rape Crisis England and Wales. Kelly Bennaton, from the charity, told MFR: "We know that sexual violence is an issue that unfortunately is likely to happen at festivals, as it happens in many other places in society.
"This charter and campaign isn't about saying sexual violence is very common at festivals. It's about saying that if it does happen, festivals have the resources and knowledge to deal with it appropriately.
"Festival-goers can go to these festivals with the confidence that if they do report, they're going to be taken seriously, and there will be places signposted on site for them to go to and people to talk to."
The policies of the participating festivals will also include relevant health guidance and connections to local services.
AIF membership and operations coordinator Phoebe Rodwell said: "The original Safer Spaces campaign has had a positive impact across festivals for music fans and festival staff alike.
"Festivals are microcosms of society and sexual violence is a problem that persists in our society. Our understanding and approaches to tackling the issue are evolving all the time.
"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."
The participating festivals will actively promote the principle of consent regarding sexual activity onsite at events, defining consent as "someone engaging in sexual activity if they agree by choice, and they have the freedom and capacity to make that choice" and reiterating that consent can be revoked at any time.
Key messaging will also be shared on the social media platforms of participating festivals and onsite at festivals this summer.