1448 survivors have shared stories of gender-based violence that occurred at music festivals, venues and hospitality workplaces in a new She’s A Crowd Report. Today, Founder and CEO, Dr Zoë Condliffe shares her first diary entry about sexual assault at the age of just 14, how it led to collect stories of victims-survivors globally and to now outlining the “unsettling truth” on the extent of such violence at venues and festivals. The industry must change.
As the CEO of She’s A Crowd, I’ve spent the past five years immersed in the stories of victims-survivors worldwide, gathering their experiences of gender-based violence (GBV) and harassment through our anonymous storytelling platform.
Today, I find myself reflecting on a diary entry I wrote at the tender age of 14, echoing the harrowing reality of sexual assault that, even after two decades, remains at the forefront of our collective mission.
“I went to Rob’s BBQ today as well. Andrew’s going-away party. Him and Ariel are going out and he…got in her pants even though she said no. No, no, no. Fine, then. It’s just not fair.”*
These words, etched into my diary by a 14-year-old grappling with the injustice of sexual assault, are a stark reminder of why we do the work we continue to do at She’s A Crowd. The goal is to unveil the prevalence of such incidents, hold perpetrators accountable, and advocate for safer spaces.
This summer, many of us will attend end-of-year parties, festivals, and gigs, and spend time out and about with our family and friends enjoying the best of music, culture and arts that Australia has to offer.
But among the festival lights and music, there is also the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault perpetrated by, (predominantly) men.
This truth struck home for a dear colleague of mine, a fellow festival enthusiast, who once found solace and joy in these spaces. One day, this all changed for her. Lost in the dark, she was preyed upon by a group of men, and the festival, once a sanctuary, became the backdrop of a life-altering incident.
This experience ignited a fire within her, transforming pain into purpose. Her story is not unique, it mirrors the tales of countless others who have suffered in silence within the supposed sanctuaries of festival grounds. It’s a story that encapsulates why She’s A Crowd is a survivor-led organisation, where personal narratives drive our mission to amplify the voices of those who have endured gender-based violence (GBV).
My 14-year-old self, putting pen to paper, could not have predicted the trajectory of this journey, which now includes years of collecting stories. It led to the start of She’s A Crowd, and now, the unveiling of the Safer Spaces: Gendered Safety and the Night Time Economy report.
1,448 survivors shared their stories for this report, from across festivals, venues and hospitality workplaces. Thirty-two per cent of them said they never returned to the venue where the incident took place. Twenty-one per cent of the venues reported by hospitality workers had multiple reports against them. Eight per cent of incidents at festivals involved drink spiking.
But this report is not just a collection of statistics. Rather, it’s a symphony of survivor voices demanding a cultural transformation.
Sexism and patriarchy in the nighttime economy
The report reveals that, for victim-survivors, the key driver identified by them behind gender-based violence during festivals is sexism. The Safer Spaces report is a poignant reminder that the existence and prevalence of harmful gendered violence are still swept under the rug all too often. It’s about illuminating the darkest corners of the nighttime economy and offering a guiding light to those willing to take action to support survivors and hold perpetrators to account.
As the Safer Spaces report unravels the layers of sexism and patriarchy within the nighttime economy – for hospitality workers, patrons and event-goers alike – it confronts the burden unfairly placed on survivors. Women and gender-diverse individuals are often expected to engage in “safety work”—an exhausting endeavour to navigate public spaces without falling victim to GBV.
This burden of perpetual vigilance is not their responsibility. The fault lies solely with the perpetrators, and it’s time for venues and festivals to acknowledge and understand how perpetrators harass and assault women and gender-diverse people within nightlife settings. If you can’t understand a problem, you can’t fix it.
My colleague’s journey, from trauma to advocacy, epitomises the resilience ingrained in survivors. Faced with inadequate support systems and a glaring absence of educational material within festival venues, she embarked on a mission to prevent others from enduring the same pain. The result: The Safer Spaces summer campaign and the Safer Spaces report—a survivor-informed call to action.
The industry can and must change
The Safer Spaces campaign is a collective outcry for change and a set of realistic and practical strategies for the industry.
The campaign calls for venues and festivals to not only acknowledge the prevalence of GBV but to actively participate in fostering environments where safety is paramount.
Festivals and Venues around Australia are “pledging” their support, and using the She’s A Crowd media kit to place posters and stickers up in their venues. In the wake of the Respect@Work legislation, every workplace in Australia is mandated to prevent and respond to sexual harassment actively—positive duty is now the law. Festivals and venues must embrace this responsibility with open hearts and minds.
These recommendations go further than mere suggestions. They are a plea to embrace awareness campaigns, mandate staff training, and create safe spaces within venues. These actionable steps also are about more than placing blame on survivors or ivenue or event operators. They are about shaping a narrative that dismantles harmful norms and stigmas embedded in the nighttime economy.
The Safer Spaces report and campaign are a testament to the strength of survivor voices and the unyielding belief that festivals and venues can truly be places of joy, creativity, and safety.
We’re on a journey to create a nighttime economy that thrives on inclusivity, enjoyment, and, above all, safety for all.
The report is a testament to our shared responsibility. It’s a pledge to turn the tides and usher in an era where festivals and venues are truly spaces of celebration, unmarred by the shadows of gender-based violence.