Leadership / 08.13.18

Artists, Fans Push Music Festivals to Tackle Sexual Harassment

Access Staff

Original article published on Associated Press (08/13/18)

Some music festivals are responding to fan complaints of sexual harassment by training staff and volunteers on response procedures, adding booths or signs with information on where to report sexual violence, and posting anti-harassment policies. Artists also are getting into the act, with Drake, Madison Beer, and others having publicly shamed harassers during concerts. Two anti-violence agencies in Chicago started the Our Music, My Body campaign about three years ago. They assist festivals in fashioning anti-harassment statements or public policies and attend events to give people information about where to report violence or harassment. Festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits have prominently posted policies on their websites concerning harassment and how to report it, in addition to signs on festival grounds. Bonnaroo official Laura Sohn says they wanted to proactively respond to the spreading cultural movement surrounding #MeToo. However, there remain many obstacles for reporting abuse, including the sheer size of some venues and the potential for victim blaming or shaming. "They say zero tolerance, or we will not tolerate harassment, but they don't say what steps they take if that is a thing that actually happens," says Our Music, My Body volunteer Lara Haddadin. "I think that a lot of festivals mean well, but do I think any festival or music hall is doing enough? No. I think there is always work left to be done."

Read the full story on the Associated Press website.

Tags: Music , Security , Regulations , News