Sexual Safety & Harassment Reporting: Creating a Respectful Environment at Your Wine Festival

Why Sexual Safety Is Critical at Festivals

Creating a respectful, safe environment is essential for any festival – including wine festivals often seen as more relaxed events. Sexual harassment and assault are pervasive problems in live events worldwide, and wine festivals are not immune. Studies in the UK and elsewhere have shown that around one in five festival-goers have experienced unwanted sexual behavior at events (www.theguardian.com). Among young women, the figures are even higher – roughly 40% of women under 40 reported harassment at festivals (www.theguardian.com). In some surveys, over 90% of female concert-goers said they had encountered some form of harassment at music events (medium.com). Clearly, this is a widespread issue that no organizer can afford to ignore. Beyond the moral imperative of protecting attendees, failing to ensure sexual safety can severely damage a festival’s reputation and viability. In extreme cases, festivals have even been canceled following multiple sexual assault reports (for example, Sweden’s Bråvalla Festival was shut down after a series of incidents in 2017) (www.bbc.com).

For wine festival producers, maintaining a safe atmosphere is especially important. Wine festivals may attract a somewhat older or more upscale crowd, but alcohol consumption and celebratory atmospheres can still lead to inappropriate behavior if not proactively managed. Every guest, volunteer, staff member, and vendor deserves to feel secure and respected. The goal is to create a culture where harassment is simply not tolerated – and where, if something does occur, there are clear policies and support systems in place to address it swiftly and compassionately.

Establish Clear Anti-Harassment Policies and Codes of Conduct

A strong foundation for sexual safety at your festival is a clear, public anti-harassment policy. This policy – often presented as a Code of Conduct – should spell out exactly what behavior is unacceptable and what actions will be taken. Be explicit in banning things like groping, stalking, unwanted touching or comments, hate speech, and any form of sexual harassment or assault (hudsonvalleywinefest.com) (hudsonvalleywinefest.com). The language should apply to everyone on site: attendees, staff, volunteers, artists, vendors, and sponsors alike. Emphasize that your festival has zero tolerance for harassment and that anyone violating the policy may be removed without refund and face potential legal consequences (hudsonvalleywinefest.com) (www.pnpwineandfoodfestival.co.za).

Crucially, the policy must also encourage reporting. State that attendees should alert event staff or security immediately if they observe or experience any harassment or unsafe situation (hudsonvalleywinefest.com) (www.pnpwineandfoodfestival.co.za). Make it clear that all reports will be taken seriously and handled with respect and confidentiality. The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) in the UK, for example, has a best-practice charter that commits festivals to clear, robust reporting procedures for sexual harassment incidents both on-site and after the event (www.aiforg.com). The policy should outline how someone can report an issue and what response they can expect from organizers.

Once your Code of Conduct and anti-harassment policy are defined, communicate them widely:
– Website & Tickets: Post the policy prominently on your festival website and ticket purchase pages. Some festivals require attendees to read and agree to the Code of Conduct as part of the ticketing process (basscoast.ca) – something you can implement via your ticketing platform (for instance, Ticket Fairy allows adding custom terms or attendee agreements during checkout). This ensures every ticket buyer is aware of the rules before they even set foot on site.
– Pre-Event Emails & Social Media: Include a reminder of your safety policies in pre-event communications. A friendly but firm note about creating a respectful community at the festival sets expectations. Highlight any slogans or campaigns (e.g. “Respect + Consent”) that encapsulate your festival’s stance.
– Onsite Signage: At the event, display signs about your zero-tolerance policy for harassment. These can be placed at entrances, near information booths, inside restrooms, and other high-traffic areas. Use concise messages like “Harassment-Free Zone: No means no” or “Call out inappropriate behavior – our staff are here to help.” Coachella, for instance, introduced prominent signage and messaging as part of its Every One anti-harassment initiative in 2019, making it clear that everyone has a right to feel safe in the festival space (pitchfork.com) (pitchfork.com).
– Festival Programme/App: If you have a festival programme, map, or mobile app, include a section about sexual safety and how to get help. Listing the Code of Conduct here reinforces that it’s a core part of the event’s ethos, not fine print.

By publishing clear policies through all these channels, you not only deter would-be harassers, but also signal to all attendees that this is a priority. Attendees often feel reassured knowing the organizers “have their back” on safety issues. It sets a tone from the top that respect is the norm at your wine festival.

Staff Training and Preparedness

Even the best policy won’t mean much if your staff and volunteers on the ground aren’t prepared to enforce it. It’s vital to train your team – from paid security guards to volunteer stewards and even vendors – on handling harassment and assault allegations with professionalism and empathy.

Key training elements include:
– Understanding the Policy: Ensure every staff member is familiar with the Code of Conduct and the definitions of unacceptable behavior. They should know that even seemingly “small” issues (like lewd comments or unwanted flirting) are to be taken seriously, not brushed off.
– Response Protocols: Develop clear step-by-step protocols for staff to follow if someone reports an incident or if they witness problematic behavior. This might involve immediately alerting a supervisor or security manager, moving the involved parties to a safe, private area, and contacting onsite medical or law enforcement if necessary. For example, Bass Coast Festival in Canada established a detailed internal protocol for handling disclosures – including guiding the survivor to a safe space, collecting basic information, and offering to involve local sexual assault services or police if the person wants (basscoast.ca) (basscoast.ca).
– Empathy and Confidentiality: Train staff in trauma-informed response. The person reporting might be in distress – it’s critical they are met with compassion, believed, and not blamed. Teach staff to listen and reassure the victim that the festival takes this seriously. Also stress the importance of privacy (not gossiping about incidents or identifying victims to others unnecessarily).
– Bystander Intervention: Empower your staff (and even attendees, through your messaging) to practice bystander intervention safely. The AIF’s charter references the “5 D’s” of bystander intervention – Direct, Delegate, Distract, Document, and Delay (www.aiforg.com) – as tools to defuse or address harassment. For instance, a staff member who sees someone being harassed could directly intervene by checking on the potential victim (“Are you okay? Is this person bothering you?”), or delegate by calling security, or create a distraction to diffuse the situation. All staff should feel that they have a role in actively maintaining a safe environment.

Consider running scenario drills or role-playing during pre-event training: e.g., “What would you do if a guest tells you someone groped them in the crowd?” or “How do you handle a report that a staff member harassed an attendee?”. Walk through the ideal responses. This preparation can make a huge difference in a real incident, when emotions are high.

Additionally, brief your performers, hosts, and MCs on the festival’s safety values. Many artists will be happy to support the message – perhaps giving a shout-out from the stage like, “We’re all here to have a good time – look out for each other and keep it respectful!” This can reinforce the culture of respect among the crowd.

Designating Support Points and Safe Spaces

One of the most effective on-site measures is to provide clearly identified support points or “safe spaces” where attendees can report harassment or seek help easily. At a large festival, this might be a dedicated tent or booth staffed with trained personnel; at a smaller wine festival, it could be as simple as a clearly marked info desk or first aid station with someone ready to handle sensitive issues.

Key considerations for setting up support points:

• Location & Visibility: Position your support tent/booth in a central area that is easy to find (marked on the festival map). It should be visible enough that people know it exists, but also arranged to allow some privacy for conversations. Many festivals situate these near the medical tent or welfare area. Use signage like “Safe Space” or “Help Desk – Report Harassment Here” so that those in need can find it quickly. For instance, Coachella’s Every One program set up special tents staffed with counselors so attendees could step out of the crowd and seek support in a calm environment (pitchfork.com).
• Staffing the Space: Make sure the support point is always staffed during event hours. Staff should be specifically trained for this role – ideally a mix of genders, and if possible, people with some counseling or first-responder background. Some festivals partner with NGOs or volunteer groups that specialize in assault support or harm reduction to staff these booths. Our Music My Body in the U.S. and Safe Gigs for Women in the UK are examples of initiatives that have provided volunteers at festivals to assist harassment victims. At your wine festival, you might collaborate with a local women’s shelter, crisis center, or a volunteer medical team. Their expertise can lend credibility and real skills to your safety effort.
• Supplies & Resources: Equip the support area with basic resources: water, chairs, blankets (if someone is in shock), and information on local support services. If someone has undergone a traumatic incident, they may need a quiet space to regroup – so create a comforting atmosphere. Also have incident report forms or an incident logging system ready, so staff can document what happened (this is useful for internal follow-up and any future action).
• Communication Tools: Enable multiple ways to reach the support team. Not everyone will feel comfortable walking up to a tent, especially if they are trying to be discreet. Consider having a phone number or text line attendees can message for help. Some festivals print an emergency SMS number on wristbands or signage (e.g., “Text 8888 for Assistance”). In one case, Bass Coast Festival introduced an online reporting platform (the “REES” system) that allows festival-goers to create a report from their phone, which goes directly to the organizers (basscoast.ca). That kind of tool can be invaluable, allowing anonymous or later reporting. Even a simple solution like a WhatsApp helpline or dedicated phone answered by the safety team can lower barriers to reporting.
• All-Gender and Accessible: Ensure your safe spaces are welcoming to everyone. Harassment can affect people of any gender. While a number of initiatives focus on women’s safety (for good reason), remember that LGBTQ+ individuals, men, or anyone can be victims too. Staff should be sensitive to all demographics. Some festivals also provide options like all-gender restrooms and changing areas to make everyone feel included and reduce incidents of harassment for transgender or non-binary attendees. (Coachella’s initiative, for example, added all-gender restrooms along with its counseling tents (pitchfork.com).)

Real-world examples of safe spaces abound. The UK’s Strawberries & Creem Festival worked with UN Women UK to create a comprehensive safe space initiative called #SafeSpacesNow. In 2021, they implemented measures such as on-site support spaces, a staffed helpdesk, and a festival-wide Code of Conduct, backed by training for all their staff (www.strawberriesandcreem.com). The response was overwhelmingly positive – many women (and men) told organizers that these changes made them feel significantly safer and created a much more positive, respectful atmosphere (www.strawberriesandcreem.com). That kind of feedback shows that offering support isn’t just about reacting to worst-case scenarios; it actively improves the experience for everyone.

Fostering a Culture of Respect and Consent

Policies and support systems are vital, but an even more powerful approach is to proactively shape the culture of your event. From the moment attendees learn about your wine festival, the message should be clear: this is a community built on respect. Several tactics can help embed this value into your festival’s culture:

• Education and Messaging: Use your platforms to educate festival-goers about consent and respect. This can be done in creative, non-preachy ways. Some festivals run social media campaigns leading up to the event with reminders about consent (e.g., “Consent isn’t just sexy – it’s mandatory! ?”). Others include a blurb in the festival guide about what consent means – for example, defining it as an enthusiastic, ongoing yes, and reminding people that intoxicated individuals cannot consent. The AIF Safer Spaces charter recommends that festivals explicitly promote the principle that only yes means yes, and that consent can be revoked at any time (www.aiforg.com).
• Venue Design for Safety: When planning your site layout and schedule, take safety into account. Ensure areas like parking lots, paths between stages or tasting areas, and restrooms are well-lit and patrolled. If your wine festival has an evening concert or after-party, provide ample lighting and perhaps staff/volunteers to escort people to transportation after dark if needed. In some cases, festivals have experimented with designated women-only areas to give those who want it a safe retreat. Glastonbury Festival in the UK once introduced a women-only venue (“The Sisterhood”) as a safe clubhouse for female-identifying attendees (www.theguardian.com). And at the Electric Forest festival in the US, organizers created a women-only camping area for those who felt safer in a single-gender camp (www.inkl.com). These solutions might not be right for every event, but it shows the lengths some festivals will go to ensure guests feel secure.
• Engage the Audience: Encourage all attendees to be part of the solution. Festivals are highly social environments – bystanders often witness interactions that festival staff might miss. Empower your audience with the idea that everyone can help keep the festival safe. For example, include a note like: “See something that doesn’t seem right? Don’t stay silent – alert a staff member or gently check in if someone needs help.” You can even publicize a simple festival slogan related to safety (some events hand out stickers or wristbands with phrases like “We Stand for Respect” or “Ask for Angela” to subtly spread awareness; “Ask for Angela” is a well-known campaign in bars/clubs where someone can ask a staff member for “Angela” to signal they need help).
• Artist and Influencer Support: If possible, get your headliners, local influencers, or partners to voice their support for a safe festival experience. Hearing a favorite musician say “Take care of each other and keep it respectful out there” during a show can normalize positive behavior. Similarly, a popular wine host or MC could mention the policy before a tasting session begins, for example: “We’re here to enjoy amazing wines and each other’s company. Let’s remember to be courteous and look out for our fellow wine lovers.”

Building this kind of culture is not just altruistic – it’s also good business. Attendees who feel safe and respected are more likely to stay longer at your event, spend more, and return next year. They’ll also spread the word that your festival is welcoming to everyone, which can broaden your audience.

Handling Reports and Incidents Effectively

Despite all prevention efforts, you need a plan for the unfortunate possibility that an incident of harassment or assault does occur. How you handle such situations will directly impact your festival’s integrity and the trust of your attendees. Here’s a breakdown of best practices in responding to reports:

1. Enable Confidential Reporting: As mentioned earlier, give people multiple channels to report – in person at a safe point, via phone/text, or anonymously after the fact. Make sure these channels are monitored. If a text hotline is advertised, someone needs to be actively responding on the other end. At least one festival organizer or security supervisor should be designated to oversee incoming reports in real-time.
2. Swift Response: When a report comes in, respond immediately. If a guest approaches staff saying they feel harassed, the staff member should escort them to the support area or a private safe spot right away. Any delay or dismissiveness can worsen the trauma and discourage others from speaking up. Festival organizers committed to the Safer Spaces pledge promise that all allegations will be acted upon promptly and investigated properly (www.aiforg.com).
3. Take Victims Seriously: This sounds obvious, but it cannot be overstated. One reason only an estimated 2% of harassment victims at festivals report the incident to authorities is fear of not being believed or taken seriously (www.theguardian.com) (www.theguardian.com). Train your team that every report is credible and worth attention. Even if there’s a misunderstanding, it should be handled with care and respect for the person who came forward.
4. Involve Professional Help: Determine in advance at what point you involve law enforcement or medical professionals. If an assault (such as groping or worse) is alleged, do you have police on-site or on-call? Often at larger festivals, police presence is available and any serious crime should be reported to them with the victim’s consent. Have a liaison officer or a plan for getting police assistance without delay. Similarly, have on-site medical staff who can treat any injuries and also be sensitive to sexual assault cases (for example, preserving evidence if needed). Local sexual assault crisis centers might have advocates you can call to the site to support a victim – know those contacts ahead of time.
5. Document and Follow Up: For every incident, document what happened in writing after things are under control. This could be an incident form noting time, location, people involved, witnesses, and actions taken. This documentation is helpful for internal review and any future legal or security needs. Also, follow up with the affected person later (if they’re willing to give contact info). A simple check-in email or call saying, “We’re sorry you experienced this, we took the following actions, and we’re here to assist further if needed,” shows genuine care. It can turn a negative experience into at least an appreciation that the festival did the right thing.
6. Enforce Consequences: If an offender is identified, take appropriate action immediately. That typically means ejecting them from the festival (with security escort, ensuring they leave the premises). Have a process for this – such as confiscating their wristband or ticket so they cannot re-enter. If the situation warrants and evidence is sufficient, ban the individual from future events and, if applicable, press charges. Make sure your terms and conditions (agreed upon at ticket purchase) support this by stating you can remove attendees for misconduct. Knowing that there are real consequences is important for both the victim’s sense of justice and as a deterrent to others.
7. Care for Your Team: These situations can be challenging for staff too. Debrief with any staff or volunteers who were involved in handling an incident. Ensure they’re okay and provide them guidance or counseling if they need (second-hand trauma is real). Incorporate lessons learned into future trainings.

By handling incidents diligently and humanely, you not only help those affected, but you also show your wider attendee community that your festival genuinely upholds its values. Word travels fast – if people see that harassment leads to a troublemaker being swiftly removed and cared for, they’ll feel more confident in your festival’s safety commitment.

Adapting Strategies to Different Scales and Types of Festivals

Every festival is unique. A small local wine and food festival for 500 people will approach safety a bit differently than a multi-day music and wine extravaganza drawing 50,000. It’s important to tailor these sexual safety strategies to your event’s scale, budget, audience, and cultural context:

• Small Festivals & Community Events: With smaller crowds, you might not need multiple staffed tents or a high-tech reporting app – but you can still designate a clear point-person or team for safety. For example, at a boutique wine festival, maybe the event coordinator or a lead volunteer doubles as the harassment report officer (wearing a distinct badge or radio). Ensure all staff know who this point-person is. Even on a small scale, have the Code of Conduct visible and consider a brief safety announcement at the opening (“Welcome everyone… please remember to treat each other with respect and if you need any assistance, come see us at the info booth by the entrance”). Tight-knit community festivals might leverage local resources: perhaps a town police officer is on duty at the event, or a local nonprofit sets up an advice booth. The personal touch in small events can make attendees feel very cared for – like being among friends looking out for each other.
• Large Festivals: Bigger events should invest in dedicated infrastructure – multiple support booths (one per major area or per few thousand attendees), a staffed hotline, and formal training sessions for all volunteers. It can help to create a specialized Safety Team or “Attendee Welfare” team distinct from general security. These team members can roam the grounds in clearly marked shirts (e.g., “Safety Ambassador” or “Here to Help” on the back) so festival-goers know who they can approach. Large wine festivals that incorporate music stages or nightlife elements especially need to be vigilant as the evening party vibe grows. Coordinate between your security contractors, medical units, and the safety team so that everyone shares information. For instance, if security guards remove someone for harassing behavior, have them inform the central command or safety manager, so the incident is logged and the person is blacklisted from returning.
• Different Audiences: Tailor messaging to your demographic. A wine festival that skews older and perhaps more affluent might use slightly different tone (perhaps more formal wording in the Code of Conduct, emphasis on “courtesy and respect”). In contrast, if you run a wine festival component at a music festival with younger attendees, you might use more youth-oriented campaign language (like partnering with a known movement or using festival influencers to spread the word). International festivals or events in countries with varying cultural norms need to ensure the messaging accounts for language barriers and local sensibilities. Always keep the core principles intact – dignity, consent, respect – but present them in a way your specific audience will embrace.
• Type of Venue: The nature of your venue also matters. An outdoor vineyard setting might have different challenges (dark fields at night -> increase lighting and have shuttles or walking escorts to remote parking). An urban wine expo in a convention center might have more CCTV cameras and on-site security, but you should still provide discreet help points (maybe a quiet room off to the side for anyone who needs to get away from a harasser). If your festival includes camping (some wine & music festivals do), consider a separate camping zone for those who identify as female or families, as some events have done, and ramp up overnight security patrols.

No matter the scale, the principles remain the same: be proactive, plan thoroughly, and show genuine care. It’s about embedding safety into the DNA of the event rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Community Engagement and Going Further

The most forward-thinking festivals engage beyond their own organisation – they involve the community and align with broader movements to improve event safety. As a seasoned festival producer, one has seen that partnering with others not only brings in expertise but also lends credibility and support to your efforts.

Consider these avenues:
– Partner with Advocacy Groups: Collaborate with organizations that focus on preventing sexual violence or supporting survivors. For example, UN Women UK was instrumental in helping Strawberries & Creem Festival design their #SafeSpacesNow measures (www.strawberriesandcreem.com). In the US, a nonprofit called Calling All Crows works with festivals and concerts on the “Here for the Music” campaign to train staff and fund anti-harassment initiatives. If your wine festival is in, say, Australia, you might reach out to local groups that campaign for safer nightlife. These groups can provide training workshops for your team, educational materials, or even an on-site presence. It also demonstrates to attendees that you’re serious enough to bring in experts.
– Join Industry Pledges or Networks: If there’s a national or regional pledge for festivals regarding sexual harassment, consider signing up. In the UK, over 100 festivals (including major ones like Boomtown Fair, Boardmasters, Parklife, and even Reading & Leeds) collectively signed on to the Safer Spaces Charter in 2022, committing to a set of standards to tackle sexual violence (www.aiforg.com) (www.hotpress.com). Being part of such initiatives helps you learn best practices and shows solidarity with the industry to make festivals safer.
– Involve Local Authorities: Developing a good relationship with local police and emergency services can enhance your festival’s safety response. Work with them to have a clear protocol for reporting assaults. In some cities, police have special liaison officers for nightlife or events. Some festivals invite local police to have a small booth on-site, not as a heavy-handed security measure but as a resource in case someone wants to directly report something. Depending on your region, you might also involve community patrol groups or licensed private security firms that have training in handling sensitive situations.
– Community Forums and Feedback: Before and after the festival, open the door for community input on safety. This could be a public forum or an online feedback form where people can suggest improvements or express concerns anonymously. Listening to your audience is key – they might point out blind spots you hadn’t considered. For example, perhaps attendees feel a particular area of the venue was too isolated or that signage wasn’t clear enough; you can use that insight to improve next time. Strawberries & Creem actually crowdsourced ideas from over 700 women and girls through UN Women UK workshops (www.strawberriesandcreem.com) – a fantastic example of community-driven solutions. While you may not run a massive workshop like that, even a simple survey asking “Did you feel safe? What could we do better?” can yield valuable information.
– Promote Success Stories: When your festival makes strides in safety, share it! This isn’t about bragging; it’s about showing leadership and encouraging others. If you implemented a new reporting system and it helped people, perhaps do a post-event blog or press release thanking the community for supporting a respectful environment. Positive PR around safety can also attract sponsors who value social responsibility, not to mention it reassures ticket buyers for your next edition.

Finally, stay updated and open to new ideas. The conversation around sexual harassment and safety is evolving, especially as movements like #MeToo have raised public expectations for action. Being an industry veteran is an advantage – you’ve likely seen the old days when such issues were swept under the rug. Now, by embracing a new standard of transparency and support, you can help lead the entire festival community toward a more inclusive future.

Key Takeaways

• Zero-Tolerance Policy: Develop a clear anti-harassment policy or Code of Conduct for your festival, and make sure everyone (attendees, staff, artists) knows about it. Be explicit that sexual harassment will not be tolerated and outline consequences for misconduct (hudsonvalleywinefest.com) (www.pnpwineandfoodfestival.co.za).
• Publish and Communicate: Communicate your safety policies across all channels – on the website, during ticketing, via emails, on social media, and with on-site signage. Repetition ensures the message sinks in and demonstrates that you, as organizers, prioritize attendee well-being.
• Training Is Essential: Properly train your staff and volunteers on how to recognize, prevent, and respond to harassment. Equip them with protocols and a compassionate, survivor-centric mindset. A well-prepared team can defuse problems before they escalate and handle incidents professionally.
• Designate Safe Spaces: Set up dedicated support points (tents, booths, or info desks) where people can report issues or find refuge. Staff these with trained personnel who can provide assistance or just a listening ear. Make these support services visible and accessible through signs and information in festival materials (pitchfork.com).
• Multiple Reporting Channels: Offer discreet ways to get help – such as text lines, phone numbers, or app-based reporting – in addition to face-to-face reporting. Not everyone will feel comfortable coming forward in person, so lower the barriers wherever possible (basscoast.ca).
• Foster a Respectful Culture: Proactively promote respect and consent through your event’s culture. Use signage, announcements, and partnerships (e.g. campaigns like Safe Spaces Now) to encourage attendees to look out for one another. A respectful crowd is your first line of defense against harassment.
• Adapt to Your Event: Tailor your approach based on your festival’s size, audience, and venue. Smaller wine festivals might leverage local community resources and personal touch, while larger events should invest in more infrastructure and dedicated safety teams. Always ensure adequate lighting, security presence, and any unique measures appropriate for your setting.
• Swift, Serious Response: If an incident occurs, respond quickly and seriously. Believe the report, assist the victim with care, remove offenders, and involve police/medical as needed (www.theguardian.com). How you handle one incident will echo to all attendees – either building trust or eroding it.
• Engage and Learn: Work with expert organizations, join industry initiatives, and listen to attendee feedback to continually improve your harassment prevention strategy. Safety at festivals is an ongoing effort of learning and adapting, not a one-time fix.
• Lead by Example: By prioritizing sexual safety, you not only protect your patrons but also enhance your festival’s reputation. Many successful festivals around the world – from music mega-events to local wine fairs – are proving that you can have fun while fostering a climate of respect and inclusivity. Lead the way, and your festival will earn loyalty and praise for years to come.