Party in the Paddock (PITP) creative director Jesse Higgs says that sexual assault at music festivals is “disgusting behaviour” and “completely unacceptable”.
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In the wake of the alleged sexual assaults at Falls Festival in Marion Bay, Mr Higgs said he was appalled by the reports.
“There needs to be a loud and clear message that this kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable absolutely anywhere, let alone somewhere as beautiful as the kind of environment that festival organisers are striving to create,” he said.
The festival is entering its fifth year in 2017, but it has always prided itself on its sense of camaraderie.
“Our PITP ethos is based upon community, equality and for everyone that is partaking to be looking out for one another,” Mr Higgs said.
“Anybody who is not in alignment with this ideology is, very simply, not welcome.”
On Thursday, the Falls Festival Facebook page posted an update to its followers regarding the alleged assaults.
They urged people to shift the onus of the sexual assault debate from women to men, telling them to “have some respect and stop taking … liberties”.
Mr Higgs was of the same mind.
“We are in agreement with what Falls Festival recently said in that we would like to see the conversation evolve from just telling women to be on-guard and vigilant, to really addressing … [bad] behaviour,” he said.
Mr Higgs was also careful to note that the problem was not isolated to music festivals.
“For real change to happen this very much needs to be addressed in the wider community,” he said.
Security presence at this year’s event will be increased, particularly in campsites.
“Know that it's absolutely essential to speak up, because that could save it happening to somebody else,” Mr Higgs said.
The Examiner’s Hands Off campaign aims to encourage public dialogue about sexual assault.
If you’ve experienced sexual assault, you can contact the crisis line at Laurel House on 0409 800 394.
