103 UK festivals commit to tackling sexual violence

103 popular UK festivals have committed to The Association of Independent Festivals’ (AIF) Safer Spaces At Festivals campaign, which is aimed at tackling sexual violence at festivals.

Originally launched in May 2017, the initiative sees festivals commit to an updated charter of best practices developed with input and guidance from experts at Rape Crisis England and Wales, Good Night Out, Safe Gigs For Women, Girls Against, and UN Women.

Boomtown Fair, Boardmasters, Reading & Leeds, Bluedot, Parklife, and Shambala are among the signatories of AIF’s Safer Spaces Campaign.

Festival organisers are reiterating their commitment to delivering a safe environment for audiences, performers, and the workforce.

A survivor-led approach will be taken, underpinned by policies, procedures, and training.

The Charter states that all allegations of sexual harassment, assault, and violence will be taken seriously and acted upon promptly. This is supplemented by a commitment to clear, robust reporting and disclosure procedures, including how to report incidents on-site and post-event.

Festival policies will include relevant health guidance and connections to local services, and the campaign will feature advice on how to be an active bystander including the ‘5 D’s of Bystander Intervention devised by Right To Be (Direct, Delegate, Distract, Document, and Delay).

The festivals in support 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.”

They also ensured and reiterated that consent can be revoked at any time.

Participating festivals will share key messages on social media across a 24-hour period from 9 am today.

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