Violence, sexual harassment and abuse have serious consequences for both those affected and society as a whole. Prevention is therefore essential. This guide offers practical advice to help organizers prevent and respond to violence, sexual harassment and sexual abuse, including rape, at festivals, concerts and other large events. It draws on experiences from festivals in Norway and has been further developed by KUN Centre for Equality and Diversity in collaboration with the GrassrEUts project partners and Sziget Cultural Management.
Festivals should be safe and welcoming for everyone. However, people may face different risks depending on factors such as gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, age and socioeconomic background. This guide provides organizers with practical tools and inspiration to identify risks, prevent harassment and abuse, and respond appropriately when incidents occur. In doing so, it aims to support safer and more inclusive festival environments for artists, audiences, staff and volunteers.
The guidelines are divided in two different sections: part one on diversity, part two on safety.