CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses sexual assault.
Festival goers at alternative music festival Good Things have made complaints about alleged upskirting, groping, and sexual abuse at the events that took place across Australian capital cities last week, and accused festival organisers of ignoring them.
The major musical festival, which was headlined by Korn, returned to the Aussie festival fixture last week for its fifth instalment in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Allegations made by victims and witnesses included “unwanted touching”, name-calling, upskirting and sexual assault, among other things.
Victim advocacy group What Were You Wearing also took to social media to re-share allegations.
“I spoke to 2 clearly marked minor girls who had to be pulled from the pit against their will because grown men were touching their ass,” one festivalgoer wrote.
“Dude, people were getting pricked with needles in the Sleeping With Sirens set at Brisbane,” another alleged.
What Were You Wearing also alleged that “multiple victims who have spoken out about the sexual violence at the Good Things Festival have been blocked, comments deleted or ignored.”
Good Things Festival organisers did not respond to questions regarding the allegations that comments had been deleted and users had been blocked and PEDESTRIAN.TV could not independently verify these claims.
In a statement provided to PEDESTRIAN.TV, Good Things Festival organisers said “Good Things Festival denounces any and all forms of sexual harassment, misconduct, abuse and assault. Anyone who condones or engages with these abhorrent behaviours is not welcome at our events.
“The Festival should be a joyous, fun and safe escape for all who attend, without exception. Good Things Festival remains in close contact with state authorities will continue to work closely with them.”
Festival organisers urged any customers who need support to contact them via email.
“We also offer our full support to anyone who needs it via our info@goodthingsfestival.com.au inbox. In the meantime, we encourage our Community to be safe, and look out for yourselves and each other.”
It remains unclear how many allegations were reported to on-site security, but only three instances across the three festival dates have been reported to police — all in Victoria. Both NSW and Queensland Police told this masthead that no formal complaints of sexual assault have been made in relation to the festivals.
In a statement provided to PEDESTRIAN.TV, Victoria Police confirmed that three separate sexual assault reports are being investigated in relation to the festival on December 6.
“Melbourne Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) detectives are investigating following three separate reports of sexual assault at a music festival in Flemington on 6 December,” the statement read.
“No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.
“Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 33 000.”
Lead image: Good Things Festival.
Help is available.
- If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
- If you’d like to speak to someone about sexual violence, please call the 1800 Respect hotline on 1800 737 732 or chat online.
- Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
The post Good Things Festival Organisers Respond After Multiple Sexual Violence Allegations appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
