Festival websites go dark for campaign against sexual assault

ArcTanGent and 2000 Trees are among 27 festivals who will switch off their websites on May 8 for 24 hours in support of a campaign against sexual assaults at music events.

The Safer Spaces campaign has been set up by the Association Of Independent Festivals with guidance from experts at Rape Crisis England & Wales, Girls Against, Safe Gigs For Women and the White Ribbon Campaign.

The campaign’s aim is to promote increased awareness about sexual assault at music events.

ArcTanGent’s Goc O’Callaghan tells TeamRock: “ArcTanGent are joining many other independent festivals in support of the AIF’s Safer Spaces campaign to make it clear that we as organisers believe that everyone should be able to enjoy festivals and live music without feeling compromised.

“By covering our homepage with the Safer Spaces campaign, ArcTanGent aims to increase awareness to those who may feel at threat or have been compromised at a festival or live music event that there is support available and to those who may take things too far, that it will not be tolerated.

“Festivals and live music events should be safe environments for everyone to enjoy without risk and by joining the AIF and other independent festivals to communicate this message there is a strong united front in making this known.”

In conjunction with the blackout, the Association Of Independent Festivals have signed a Charter Of Best Practice to ensure staff and volunteers are trained to deal with sexual violence cases and promote a zero tolerance policy towards any form of sexual harassment at events.

A full list of festival websites participating in the Safer Spaces campaign on May 8 can be found below.

ArcTanGent
2000 Trees
Always the Sun
Ampthill Festival
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
Bestival
Bluedot
Boomtown Fair
Electric Fields
End Of The Road
Eisteddfod
Field Day
The Fling
Hanwell Hootie
Heb Celt Fest
Kendal Calling
Nozstock The Hidden Valley
Pangaea
Parklife
Rewind
Secret Garden Party
Standon Calling
Strawberries & Creem
Tramlines
Truck
The Vicars Picnic
Y-Not Festival

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.

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