Top Tweets for #SVAFConf
Sophie from our team raised the issue of the was in which gigs and festivals are not trauma informed and are built by men, for men, without inclusivity. Survivors deserve to enjoy themselves and to not be constantly reminded of their trauma at gigs. #SVAFconf
On the one hand some festivals are opening up to talking about sexual violence and doing work in this area but this doesn’t necessarily extend to performers who might be performing songs with VAW lyrics while at same time festival taking stance against sexual violence #SVAFconf
Venues can’t exist without gig goers - it makes economical sense, if nothing else, for venues to take this seriously because people want to know they are attending events where safety is a priority. It’s good morally and economically! @safegigs4women #SVAFconf
@safegigs4women do such fantastic work - raising awareness, campaigning and lobbying for change working with gig goers, performers and organisers. includes working with bands - some have huge followings which can help spread the word to big audience (e.g. @frankturner) #SVAFconf
Festival survey of 2018 found:
29% had received unwelcome forceful dancing.
6% sexual assault whilst unconscious or asleep
2% rape
#SVAFconf
Starting in 2016, @safegigs4women started attending gigs and festivals to raise awareness and push for change. Initial excitement at this work quickly depleted as many festivals had closed doors and didn’t want to engage in this work or recognise sexual violence #SVAFconf
@traceyw1981 founder of @safegigs4women is now telling us about what inspired the start of safe gigs - dismissive attitudes from festival staff about disclosures and concerns #SVAFconf
Excellent and informative research presented @Hannah_Bows and whilst I'm not surprised at the findings, I am deeply sickened that this is such a 'normal' part of women's experiences at festivals. #ViolenceAgainstWomen #SVAFconf @CRiVADurham
Victim blaming also appears to be rife... just one of the many reasons why victims state they did not/would not report sexual harassment and violence
Sexual assault is always the fault of the perpetrator
#SVAFconf
An ideal environment for sexual perpetrators. They can weave in and out of crowded spaces, commit several assaults and then disappear. Festivals are perfect spaces for sexual violence to occur- makes it difficult to intervene and hold perpetrators accountable. #SVAFconf
Also sad to hear of the acceptance and normalisation of sexual harassment and assault as part of festival life.
Women should not have to 'brush it off' 'become immune to it' 'expect it'
#SVAFconf
Incredibly saddening to hear the first-hand accounts of sexual assault and harassment from women at festivals. These issues are structural and require immediate and transformative change from the festival sector to protect attendees. #SVAFconf
Men coming up from behind, putting their hands up women's skirts and lifting them up by their genitals.
Women being followed/stalked by men
Date rape drug
#SVAFconf
Spaces were patrons felt unsafe:
Camp sites
Toilets
Woodland
Walkways between camping and festival
stage areas
Physical violence
Sexual assault/sexuakl harassment/sexual violence
(men generally concerned for their female friends/partners )
#SVAFconf
Interesting findings included that women felt safer in a group of women but for men, being in a group of men made them feel less safe. #SVAFConf
Not much data on crimes at festivals. One survey was conducted by insurer Aviva so needs to be taken as biased but even so, we know that crime happens at festivals but sexual violence is seen as a separate issue as crime really seen as theft. #SVAFconf
Now listening to @Hannah_Bows talking on her research.
In the UK, pre covid, 4 million people attended 230 festivals. #SVAFconf
Excited to be attending the @CRiVADurham conference about sexual violence at music festivals today. Incredibly important issues being discussed! @SafetyStudy #SVAFconf
Even where women seek safer spaces at festivals they experience sexual harassment - it’s inescapable #SVAFconf
Policing at festivals seems narrowly focused on drug use which can create a dissidence of trust - many sexual violence victims may not report due to fears about repercussions from police #SVAFconf
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