Sexual assault is a broad social issue within our community, with one in five women experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime. We acknowledge the position Falls holds when it comes to influencing widespread cultural change and we take that responsibility very seriously. Falls Festival has been working closely with a number of organisations and individuals over the past two years in a continuous effort to improve patron safety and raise awareness around crowd conduct and expectations of reasonable behaviour.
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 us with valuable insight with regards to further measures of prevention and ensuring appropriate incident management.
To date, Falls Festival has many national initiatives in place across all sites that 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 the 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
Red Frogs onsite in Byron and Lorne
24-hour trained camp marshals in the campgrounds to support
PASH onsite in Byron
In 2018, as a constant process of improvement Falls Festival will be introducing a number of new measures across all events. 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.
In 2018 the Falls Festival will continue to add to the above by:
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
The Falls team will be issuing more detailed information of numbers to call and locations of services closer to the event via the website, official app and direct patron communications.
“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.” Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco Falls Co Producers