UK Festival Websites Go Dark for 24 Hours to Fight Sexual Assault

The UK’s Association of Independent Festivals has announced an initiative to raise awareness about sexual assault and harassment at music festivals, the BBC reports. On Monday, May 8, over 25 festivals—including Bestival, Parklife, and Standon Calling—will “blackout” their websites as part of the “Safer Spaces” campaign. The blackout will last 24 hours. They will also share a GIF (below) that asserts there is “Zero Tolerance to Sexual Assault.” In addition, over 60 festivals have signed a charter of best practice to uphold the zero tolerance policy, provide welfare services to any victim of sexual assault, ensure staff and volunteers are trained to deal with sexual violence issues, and take “a victim-led approach” to any sexual assault incidents.

The Safer Spaces campaign is supported by Rape Crisis England & Wales, Girls Against, Safe Gigs for Women, and the White Ribbon Campaign. 

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