Guide: Supporting LGBTQIA+ survivors of sexual violence at festivals
- Title: ‘Breaking Barriers for LGBT+ Survivors of Abuse and Violence at Festivals’
- Authors: Association of Independent Festivals UK, Galop
- Published in: June 2023
- Keywords: LGBTQIA+, sexual violence, abuse, survivors
Please note: The following text deals with sexual harassment. Please consider if this is the right topic for you at the moment and stop reading, if you feel as if it might trigger unpleasant memories or past trauma.
The “public narrative” of sexual violence, shaped by gendered stereotypes, tends to focus on heterosexual, white, able-bodied individuals, perpetuating the misconception that abuse and violence only affect heterosexual and cisgender women. This narrative influences our understanding of sexual violence and support for survivors, often overshadowing the experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community.
To address this issue, the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) UK partnered up with Galop to create a special resource and visibility around LGBTQIA+ abuse survivors. Galop is the UK’s biggest LGBTQIA+ anti-abuse charity that works with and for LGBTQIA+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence.
The organizations have developed an easily accessible, 4-page guide aimed at festival staff unfamiliar with the subject. This resource presents a practical approach to overcoming barriers when addressing abuse and violence against LGBTQIA+ survivors within festival settings. It identifies common obstacles such as sticking to the mainstream narrative, a lack of intersectional discrimination, and not enough visibility of abuse survivors that are LGBTQIA+. Furthermore, it offers practical advice on breaking down these barriers effectively.
Find more useful AIF resources on all kinds of topics here.