Consent Culture in Close Quarters: Safeguarding Attendees at Boutique Festivals

Introduction

Creating a consent culture in close quarters is an essential mission for boutique festival organisers worldwide. In crowded festival environments – whether a small indoor venue or a packed camping field – attendees should feel safe, respected, and free from harassment. Unfortunately, festivals have sometimes made headlines for the wrong reasons. In 2016 alone, numerous assaults were reported at events across Europe – 18 women reported sexual assaults at Germany’s Schlossgrabenfest, and five rapes were reported at Sweden’s Bråvalla Festival (edmworldmagazine.com). In fact, Bråvalla was cancelled after repeated incidents, prompting organisers elsewhere to rethink safety measures (www.glamour.com). These cases underscore why proactive consent culture is critical, especially in the intimate, close-knit settings of boutique festivals.

The good news is that many festivals – large and small – are taking action to ensure safety feels truly safe. From clear codes of conduct to creative campaigns like Roskilde’s “Orange Together” in Denmark (which used a card game to spark conversations about boundaries (entertaimnet.wordpress.com)), there’s a growing toolkit for making festival spaces more respectful. This article draws on decades of festival production experience and global examples to offer practical, actionable advice. The guidance below will help festival producers foster a culture of consent and safety, covering plain-language conduct codes, staff and artist training, reporting channels, rapid response, and cultivating an environment where everyone feels secure.

Publish a Plain-Language Code of Conduct Everywhere

The first step in building consent culture at festivals is to establish a clear, plain-language code of conduct – and broadcast it widely. Every attendee, staff member, volunteer, and artist should know the festival’s expectations for respectful behaviour. The code of conduct must be easy to understand (no dense legal jargon) and prominently visible:
– On the website and tickets – Include the code (or a summary) on the festival website, ticket purchase pages, and confirmation emails. Festivals like Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits publicly post their anti-harassment policies online (apnews.com), making it clear even before arrival that harassment and discrimination won’t be tolerated.
– Onsite signage – Display the core points of the conduct code throughout the venue: at entry gates, info booths, bathrooms, and on big video screens or notice boards. Large events have started installing signs telling attendees exactly how to get help if they experience unwanted behaviour (apnews.com) (apnews.com). At boutique festivals, consider creative signage that fits the vibe – for example, illustrated posters or banners near stages and campsites reminding everyone to respect each other’s boundaries.
– In programmes and apps – If you have a festival programme, map, or mobile app, dedicate a section to the code of conduct and safety resources. Many events list emergency contact numbers and consent reminders in their app info pages or printed guides (for instance, Shambala festival’s programme highlights its 24-hour safety hotline and support services (www.shambalafestival.org)).

A strong code of conduct typically defines what constitutes harassment or unacceptable behaviour in clear terms. For example, Tiree Music Festival’s anti-harassment policy explicitly bans unwanted touching, abusive language, stalking, and any form of discrimination (tireemusicfestival.co.uk) (tireemusicfestival.co.uk). By spelling out these boundaries, you set the baseline for consent culture from the outset. Make sure to also state the consequences for violations (e.g. removal from the festival without refund, or reporting to authorities in severe cases). When attendees see that respect is a rule, it normalises positive behaviour and discourages would-be offenders.

Train Staff and Artists on Reporting, Boundaries, and De-escalation

Publishing a policy is only the beginning – it must be backed up by action. A key part of that is training your festival staff, security teams, volunteers, and even performers on how to uphold the consent culture. As Lara Haddadin, a volunteer with the “Our Music, My Body” campaign, noted, having trained staff and advocates on site shows a festival isn’t just paying lip service to harassment issues (apnews.com). Training ensures that when an incident occurs or a boundary is crossed, your team knows how to respond effectively and compassionately.

What should training cover? At minimum, include these elements:
– Understanding consent and boundaries – Ensure everyone working the event understands the forms harassment can take (from verbal harassment to groping or intimidation) and the importance of affirmative consent. Emphasise that no one should assume physical contact (like hugs or touching) without asking. This applies to staff and artists too – performers should be mindful of fans’ personal space during meet-and-greets or when inviting people on stage.
– How to take reports – Teach staff and volunteers how to receive a complaint. They should listen without judgment or dismissal, make the person feel heard and safe, and know what steps to take next (e.g. contacting a supervisor or security lead). Role-play scenarios can help: for instance, an attendee reports someone made them uncomfortable – how should the staffer react and document it? Make sure staff know the location of onsite support services (medical, welfare, or dedicated “safe space” tents) so they can guide the person there if needed.
– Bystander intervention & de-escalation – Sometimes staff or artists themselves might witness problematic behaviour. Train them in bystander intervention tactics: when to intervene directly, when to get security, and how to defuse situations calmly. For example, security personnel can learn techniques to separate and calm individuals if an altercation or harassing behaviour is escalating – without using undue force unless absolutely necessary. The goal is to resolve issues before they become crises, and without making a victim feel even more uncomfortable.

Many festivals collaborate with experts to bolster this training. In the UK, the Good Night Out Campaign and similar organisations work with event organisers to develop harassment response procedures and provide staff workshops (www.goodnightoutcampaign.org) (www.goodnightoutcampaign.org). In Canada, some festivals consult local sexual violence resource centres for volunteer training sessions. By investing in training, boutique festival producers create a crew that serves as an alert, empathetic safety net for attendees.

Don’t forget to brief the artists and performers too: they should know the festival’s code of conduct and be prepared to support it. This might mean making a pre-show announcement about consent, or simply being vigilant during their set. In recent years, artists from Drake to Sam Carter (lead singer of the British band Architects) have paused concerts to call out groping in the crowd (apnews.com). Empower your artists to speak up or signal for help if they see harassment – it sets a powerful example when the talent reinforces the consent culture.

Provide Multiple Channels for Complaints (Including Anonymous Reporting)

No matter how proactive your measures, it’s vital to assume that some incidents will happen – and attendees must have easy, multiple ways to get help or file a complaint. Different people will feel comfortable with different reporting channels, so offering a variety is key. Make these channels well-known and accessible:
– In-person reporting – Ensure that any attendee can approach any staff member or security guard to report a problem. All staff should be trained to assist or quickly direct the person to the proper support. It helps to have clearly identifiable teams or individuals (for example, staff wearing “Safety Team” badges or armbands). Some festivals designate specific tents or info booths as safe places to report harassment or get support. For instance, Australia’s Rainbow Serpent festival set up a dedicated safe space tent for people who experience sexual assault or harassment, staffed with trained counsellors.
– Phone & text hotlines – Provide a phone number (and text message number or shortcode) that attendees can contact for help, day or night. This hotline can connect to event control, security, or a trained harassment response team. Publish the number on signage, in the programme, on wristbands, and on the website. A great example is Shambala Festival (UK) – they advertise a 24-hour hotline in their app and printed guide so attendees can reach emergency support instantly (www.shambalafestival.org). Some festivals have even partnered with bands to promote text lines; for example, an American indie band created a text hotline for fans to report harassment directly during shows (apnews.com).
– Mobile apps and online forms – If your festival has a mobile app, include a “Report an Incident” feature or at least list emergency contacts prominently. Alternatively, an online reporting form on your website (accessible via smartphone) can be useful, especially if it allows anonymous submissions. Consider enabling anonymous reporting so that people who fear retaliation or embarrassment can still alert you to issues. Bass Coast Festival in Canada partnered with an online tool called REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors) to let festival-goers, performers, and staff submit reports of unwanted sexual behaviour online, even after the festival is over (basscoast.ca). By providing a year-round web reporting option, Bass Coast made it easier for people to speak up on their own terms.

Make sure multiple channels are monitored and responses are prompt. If someone sends a text or submits a form, have a team ready to reply or dispatch assistance immediately. Also publicise what happens when someone uses these channels – for example, “When you report an incident, our safety team will respond within minutes and can meet you in a safe location of your choice.” Knowing what to expect can reduce the hesitation to reach out. The overarching goal is to lower barriers to reporting as much as possible.

Act Quickly and Communicate Outcomes (Within Privacy Limits)

When a complaint or incident report comes in, speed and transparency are crucial. A festival’s response in these moments defines whether its safety policies truly protect people. “Zero tolerance” can’t be just a slogan; it needs to be reflected in swift, concrete action. Here’s how festival organisers can effectively handle incidents while respecting privacy:

• Swift intervention and investigation – The moment staff receive a credible report of harassment or assault, take action. If the incident is ongoing (e.g. an attendee is being harassed in real time), dispatch security or trained personnel to safely intervene on the spot. If it’s after the fact, still treat it urgently: gather details from the reporter in a private, safe setting, and identify any witnesses or evidence (for example, CCTV or other staff observations). Many festivals have detailed internal protocols for this. Bass Coast, for instance, outlines specific procedures depending on the situation – whether the perpetrator is identified, whether they are staff/artist or attendee, etc., ensuring a coordinated response (basscoast.ca).
• Enforce consequences consistently – If an allegation is substantiated, enforce your code of conduct. This may mean ejecting the offending attendee from the festival (and banning them from future editions), or removing a staff member or artist from their duties or lineup. No one should be exempt because of their status. Notably, some festivals have cut artists from the bill in response to misconduct allegations to show they stand by their values. In British Columbia, Canada, the long-running Shambhala Music Festival even postponed its 2020 virtual event after serious sexual violence allegations surfaced against a performer, as organisers pledged to review and improve their safety policies (www.cbc.ca) (www.cbc.ca). This bold action sent a clear message that safety comes first – even above the show.
• Communication and confidentiality – While taking action, be mindful of privacy. Keep the identities of survivors and anyone accused confidential, sharing information only with those who need to know (security, festival directors, law enforcement if involved). However, do communicate outcomes in a general sense. Let the person who reported the incident know that you have addressed it: for example, “We investigated and have taken appropriate action in line with our policies.” They don’t need every detail, but they deserve to know their grievance was taken seriously. If an incident was visible to many or became public on social media, it’s wise for the festival to issue a brief statement reaffirming your commitment to safety and that steps were taken (without naming names). This transparency, within the bounds of privacy, helps maintain attendee trust. It shows that the code of conduct isn’t just words on paper – it’s actively enforced.

Acting quickly and fairly can prevent further harm and also deter others from misbehaving. It also encourages a culture of reporting: if people see that organisers respond decisively to reports, they’re more likely to speak up themselves. On the other hand, if complaints disappear into a “black hole” with no visible effect, trust erodes quickly. Strike the balance by being both discreet and responsive.

“Safety Should Feel Safe”: Fostering a Truly Supportive Environment

Ultimately, the goal is for every festival attendee to feel as safe as they actually are. It’s not enough to have security and policies on paper – the atmosphere of the event should actively encourage people to enjoy themselves without fear. In practical terms, this means fostering a supportive, consent-aware community at your festival.

Culture-building measures can help achieve this:
– Set the tone from the top – Festival leaders and hosts should speak about consent and respect as core values. Consider opening your event or each day with a friendly reminder of the code of conduct. This could be from the MC on the main stage: e.g. “Welcome and have fun – and remember, take care of each other. Ask first, respect boundaries, and if you need any help at all, come see our team.” When this messaging is normalised, attendees are more likely to look out for one another.
– Empower the community – Encourage festival-goers to be “Active Bystanders” who help maintain the safe space. Many events urge attendees to watch out for each other – if something seems off, step in or get help. As one festival put it: “If something doesn’t feel or look right… be a buddy not a bystander.” (www.shambalafestival.org) This empowers peers to check in with someone who might be uncomfortable (“Hey, are you okay?”) or to politely call out inappropriate behaviour. When attendees themselves uphold consent culture, it multiplies the effect beyond just official staff.
– Provide compassionate support – Make sure there are quiet, safe areas and trained personnel to support anyone who feels upset or violated. This might be a welfare tent with counsellors or the medical area doubling as a confidential support station. Having a cup of tea and someone to talk to can make a world of difference for a person who’s just had a bad experience. Importantly, staff at these support points should be non-judgmental (for instance, not questioning someone’s attire or sobriety, and understanding the trauma response). The mere presence of a well-publicised support team can reassure attendees that should anything happen, they won’t be alone in dealing with it.
– Regularly review and improve – A truly safe environment adapts and learns. Gather feedback from attendees and staff after the festival about whether they felt safe and if they witnessed or experienced any concerning incidents. Use this to improve your strategies. Stay up to date with consent education trends and refresh your training and policies accordingly. Consent culture is an ongoing effort, not a one-time fix. Even a small boutique festival can lead the way by continuously striving to do better each year.

In building a consent culture, remember that the aim is to integrate safety so seamlessly that it simply feels natural. Attendees can dance, celebrate, and connect with others without a second thought about harassment – because everyone knows the norms of respect and everyone has each other’s back. When safety feels safe, the festival experience becomes richer, more inclusive, and truly carefree for all.

Key Takeaways

• Visible Conduct Codes: Develop a clear, plain-language code of conduct against harassment and publish it everywhere (website, signage, apps) so every attendee and staff member knows the festival’s rules and values (apnews.com).
• Training is Essential: Train your staff, volunteers, and artists on consent, how to handle reports, and de-escalation techniques. Prepared teams can respond to incidents effectively and help prevent issues from escalating (apnews.com).
• Multiple Reporting Channels: Provide various ways for attendees to seek help – in person (any staff or dedicated safe spaces), via hotlines or text, through apps or anonymous online forms – to lower the barrier for reporting problems (basscoast.ca) (www.shambalafestival.org).
• Swift, Fair Action: When incidents occur, act quickly. Enforce zero tolerance by removing offenders or sanctioning as needed, and communicate to those affected that actions were taken. Maintain confidentiality, but ensure people know the issue won’t be ignored (www.cbc.ca).
• Foster a Safe Atmosphere: Beyond policies, cultivate an event culture where consent and respect are the norm. Encourage attendees to look out for each other, offer support services on-site, and lead by example with positive messaging and continuous improvement.

By championing consent culture in even the closest of quarters, festival producers can create events that are not only wildly fun and memorable, but also genuinely safe and welcoming for everyone.