Vic Govt lends support for sexual assault taskforce

Image: The Tote Hotel, Victoria

The Victorian Government has thrown its support behind a taskforce set up to challenge the increasing level of sexual assault and harassment at music venues and festivals.

The taskforce was established in mid-2015 by LISTEN and SLAM member Helen Marcou and with Dr. Bianca Fileborn.

LISTEN was setup to generate more equality and recognition for women in the music industry. SLAM (Save Live Australian Music) ran a rally in Melbourne some years ago that helped changed the relationship between the Government and the live music sector, and instituted major changes to protect venues.

The taskforce has come up with a number of initiatives, starting with venues. This would include a template on venue staff identifying and responding to incidents, a venue training package, and an awareness campaign for staff and patrons.

It has presented the proposals to the Government and asked for more resources to carry out the project more effectively.

Earlier this week, the Minister for Creative Arts and Minister for Equality, Martin Foley, told triple j’s current affairs program Hack that the Government has agreed to LISTEN’s proposals.

“We’ll be taking all those recommendations and implementing them all because if we’re serious about making Victoria the live music capital of Australia we need to make sure that it’s accessible for everyone and that includes being safe,” the Minister said.

LISTEN confirms that the pilot program will be unveiled in nine music venues, which will be decided at the next taskforce meeting. It will run for 12 months and, depending on how effective it is in combating the problem, will then be rolled out across the state.

“We’re really excited to have the full support the Victorian government and are proud that they’re taking the lead on an important issue that affects such a large part of the music community,” taskforce member Katie Pearson told Hack.

“There’s an enormous appetite from venues and festivals for policy and training to equip them with the frameworks to make their festivals safer and happier places for all punters.”

Hack estimate that the program will cost $200,000. It is expected that the Government will tell venues that they are also required to contribute towards the funding.

.Minister Foley pointed out, “We want to make sure that venues and promoters do their fair share in all this as well – that they meet their responsibilities and they contribute as well.”

Down the track, the ways in venues combat sexual harassment and violence within their space could become a condition of their licence.

A number of festivals such as Laneway and Rainbow Serpent introduced safe spaces and crisis lines this summer. Other bars and pubs have put up warning signs on their premises, encouraging other venues in the state to follow suit.

Dr Fileborn’s 2012 survey of 230 young women found that 80% considered sexual assault “common” in venues, and that 96% had experienced or seen it happen at bars and clubs. Disturbingly, most didn’t want to report it because of the belief that it wouldn’t be taken seriously.