Bringing gig safety awareness this festival season
| 5th May 2018
As we reach festival season, it is important to continue talking about, and raising awareness of, people’s safety at gigs.
The organisation Safe Gigs for Women works to create awareness surrounding the issue by informing concert goers about what is and is not acceptable, advising of how to find help should they need it, and educating musicians.
It has for many years been uncommon for people who have been sexually assaulted at a gig or festival to report it, resulting in no existing official statistics being available. Safe Gigs for Women want to change this.
Sian, a volunteer at Safe Gigs for Women, states allegations of sexual harassment in Hollywood may inspire women to come forward with more reports of their experiences.
“Since [the #metoo campaign,] where women would have previously approached us anonymously with their stories, they are now more likely to speak openly about their experiences, so I think there is a movement that is happening now.
“We continue to encourage people who have been harassed or assaulted to speak out about their experiences.
“Musicians are people just like us, why should they not be getting the same messages,” Says Sian.
“They do have a platform and a voice that people do listen to. If a musician is up on the stage and advocating the same things about treating everybody around you with respect and creating a safe environment, then that message is more likely to get through,” Sian claims.
Safe Gigs for Women (SGFW) was set up by a group of gig goers whose goal is to create a safe space for women to enjoy gigs and concerts. Tracey, founder of SGFW, was sexually assaulted at a gig herself, which is what urged her to create more awareness on the issue.
Frank Turner, singer-song writer whose new album was recently released, welcomed SGFW on tour with him back in 2016 as they worked to reinforce the issue.
“One of the incidents they recorded on their blog had taken place in the crowd at one of my shows. I had no idea and I was absolutely outraged.
“I’d assumed that this wasn’t a problem at my shows. I thought the best thing I could do would be to get SGFW directly involved with my next tour.
“I regard live music as my community event, the thing that gives my life meaning and shape. I always believed in it as a kind of equal, non-judgemental community. Abusive behaviour ruins all of that. I won’t stand for it at my shows. The more we discuss it openly, the more we can change minds and behaviours for the better,” Turner claims.
Niall, a volunteer at Safe Gigs for Women, believes that, “to have males involved and promoting creates a more unified approach.
“Raising awareness lets those affected by any form of harassment at an event know they do not have to endure that treatment, and to report it. It will be taken seriously.”