Report: 67.5% of Perth punters are harassed at gigs

New association Safer Venues WA will begin discussions with venue operators, artists, punters and the live music industry in general on improving safety within Perth’s music spaces.

This follows a survey it conducted which found that 67.5% of respondents experienced sexual and violent harassment in a Perth music venue – but only half of those (32.3%) had taken action by reporting the incident to venue staff or security.

A large majority preferred to stay with their friends after the incident, while many left the venue immediately.

Of the 550 respondents, 80.26% identified themselves as female. About 67% saw themselves as belonging to the LGBT community.

Safer Venues WA stated, “It raises concern about the number of unreported cases of harassment, intimidation, discrimination and assault.”

Among the findings:

* Most respondents attributed the harassment and assault to alcohol, followed by gender-based discrimination. The environment of the venue was also considered a major factor

* 34.77% have experienced it at least once.

* Almost 1 in 5 consider their personal safety before attending music events and venues.

* Half experienced unwarranted sexual comments, with one in 30 complaining they copped it at every gig they go to.

* Over 2 in 3 have been touched or groped.

* More than 3 of 5 have experienced a situation where they felt intimidated.

In the survey, the definition of music event included local line up gigs, nightclubs, acoustic gigs, residential gigs, raves, touring artists, music festivals, university events and pop up music spaces.

See the survey here.

Safer Venues WA was set up earlier this year by people from the music industry “and like-minded individuals working together to create safer and more inclusive spaces to enjoy live music.”

Its intention is to collect more data to highlight the extent of the problem and for inclusion and respect as keys to maintaining the live music industry.

Its mission statement also includes “highlighting contemporary issues of people attending gigs from an intersectional feminist perspective.”