• Incidences of sexual violence (rape, harassment, groping, verbal assaults) are more prevalent at music festivals & community festivals especially where nightlife activities occur
• Incidences of sexual violence further increase when drugs and alcohol are involved
• Those who experience sexual violence are further harmed if immediate support is not available to them
• Music & community festivals exist as small communities, which require thoughtful attention to creating safety for its attendees
• Festival goers feel safer when they feel assured festivals were creating a culture of care and preferred wellness, health and community resources to be present, rather than an increased presence of security personnel or surveillance

• Support festivals to increase competency for their staff & volunteers through training opportunities  
• Provide on-the-ground crisis support in collaboration with festivals, to immediately respond to incidences and support attendees in distress
• Liaise with local RCMP or security personnel to coordinate safety measures
• Promote our presence at the festival, to enhance feelings of safety for attendees & assure the public is aware of the festival’s efforts to support their attendees
• Attend vendor villages, distributing resources & information
• Collaborate with other community resources like REES (if applicable)

If you are a festival organizer, particularly in the Interlake-Eastern area (which includes Selkirk, Gimli, Winnipeg Beach, Stonewall, Victoria Beach & East Beaches, Ashern, Eriksdale, Teulon, Arborg, Oakbank, Beausejour, Powerview, Bird’s Hill, and more), and would like to enhance the safety & wellness resources available, please contact us.

Phone: 204-753-5353

E-mail: reachingout@survivors-hope.ca

Or fill out the contact form below.