Falls Festival announces more initiatives to protect patrons against sexual assault

This year’s Falls Festival will introduce more initiatives to prevent sexual assaults.

Organiser Secret Sounds announced seven additions to its security process this morning, with more to be initiated later in the year after the release of a new study on sexual assaults at music festivals.

The programs will be introduced in all four locations – Byron Bay, Marion Bay in Tasmania, Lorne in Victoria and Fremantle.

The seven new moves are:

• Increasing number of CCTV cameras across the sites.
• Increasing security in the campgrounds.
• Key event staff to undertake psychological first aid training.
• Sexual assault counsellors on site at all events.
• Specific training for all event staff in dealing with the reporting of incidences of sexual assault or harassment on site.
• Formalising sexual assault incident response protocols for staff and patrons.
• Private consultation spaces within the medical area for assault victims.

Secret Service reported, “One of the main obstacles in supporting victims of assault or harassment is the person’s reticence to report their incident.

“Should an incident occur, we look to make the process of reporting incidences more supportive for victims of assault or harassment.

“Falls will also empower our event team with the tools to handle these situations confidently through specific training programs.

“Falls will be introducing sexual assault counsellors to all sites, who will sit between our onsite medical teams and police.

“These counsellors will be able to provide immediate crisis care, introduce victims to local support services for short and long-term help and guide them through the various processes should they want to engage police to pursue further action. “

Lecturers in Criminology at UNSW, Dr Bianca Fileborn, Dr Phillip Wadds and their team have undertaken an independent research piece at the 2017/18 Byron Bay event into sexual assaults at festivals.

This research will provide promoters with insight into what further prevention measures and incident management should be introduced.

Falls Festival already has a number of safety patron schemes in place.

These include:

• CCTV cameras throughout the event site, campgrounds and mosh pit areas.
• 24-hour attended Patron Safety Hotline – messaged throughout the site, on super screens, via official app and event guide.
• Your Choice campaign alignment – House Rules (behavioural guide) messaged throughout the site, on super screens, via official app and event guide.
• Police presence and resources on site.
• 24-hour security personnel at the event.
• 24-hour security personnel through the campsites.
• Comprehensive medical services.
• 24-hour information stations across the site.
• Safety volunteer Red Frogs onsite in Byron and Lorne.
• 24-hour trained camp marshals in the campgrounds to support.
• Sexual health consortium PASH onsite in Byron.

Co-producers Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco said in a statement: “Falls has a zero tolerance policy with regard to dangerous and irresponsible behaviours, the safety of our patrons is our foremost concern.

“We work year-round to bring together incredible events, at some of Australia’s most iconic locations – we want everyone to feel free and safe in our spaces and to leave with great memories.”