Festival Safety Tips - How to Stay Safe at Festivals
Learn how to stay safe at festivals this summer with our top 12 festival safety tips!
Whether you’re attending a music festival (Glastonbury anyone?), cultural event or a local fair, it’s important to prioritise your safety amidst all the excitement.
Sadly, sexual assaults, rapes and robberies do take place at festivals. Predators target festivals specifically as they know people let their guard down to have a good time and many indulge in excessive drinking and drug-taking.
However, you don’t need to become their victim!
By following a few simple guidelines and with a little preparation, you can enjoy a memorable and safe experience.
FESTIVAL SEXUAL ASSAULT STATISTICS
First, know the facts.
Awareness is everything.
If you can be aware of what happens at festivals, you can be mentally prepared for situations you need to avoid or deal with.
According to a 2022 survey of 450 festivalgoers by Durham Law School:
34% of female respondents reported being sexually harassed or assaulted at a festival in the previous few years
Compared with 6% of men
9% of women and 1% of men reported being sexually assaulted.
According to a 2018 survey by YouGov of 3,436 adults:
One in five (22%) of all festival goers, and 30% of female festival attendees have experienced some form of unwanted sexual behaviour at a UK festival.
Three in ten (29%) women and 11% of men under the age of 40 recalled forceful dancing.
Almost a quarter of women (23%) and 6% of men have been subject to sexualised language or verbal harassment.
17% of women and 5% of men under 40 have experienced sexual assault whilst conscious at a festival
6% of women and 3% of men have been assaulted while unconscious at a festival.
11% of women and 10% of men under 40 were subject to flashing
2% of women and 1% of men were raped at a festival.
Don’t become one of these statistics!
In this blog, we'll explore some essential festival safety tips that will help you make the most of your experience while staying out of harm's way.
1. Plan Ahead
This is super-important!
You’ve no doubt spent a lot of time researching the line-up for your festival but have you looked into safety measures at the event?
Before attending a festival, take time to research the event. Learn about:
The venue or location - what is the layout
Emergency exits and emergency plans - if there is an emergency, how will you get out, where do you go?
Medical facilities - where are they, what are they?
Security arrangements - are there security guards, where are they?
Have there been incidents at this festival before? Search online
Planning ahead will help you navigate the event more smoothly and be prepared for any situation.
2. STAY TOGETHER - USE A BUDDY SYSTEM
Attend festivals with a friend or group of friends and agree a buddy system beforehand.
This simply means talking to a friend and agreeing to stay together and look out for each other.
Don’t be tempted to go off on your own - remember there’s safety in numbers.
3. AGREE A MEETING POINT
Despite your best intentions, in crowded spaces it is easy to get separated, so designate a meeting point in case you get lost or split up.
If you lose your friend and aren’t able to contact them by phone (mobile signals can be poor at festivals), contact the on-site security to help you.
Don’t be embarrassed, that’s what they’re there for.
4. DON’T RELY ON SECURITY
Although festivals and events will have security teams and CCTV, don’t get a false sense of security from them and think there will always be someone to save you.
At a festival with thousands of people, they can’t see everything or be everywhere.
Keep in mind that it’s not difficult to become a security guard at festivals and many of these people are underpaid, overstretched and undertrained.
Also, be aware that we can’t always trust people just because they are in a uniform, as demonstrated by the horrific rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a police officer.
Use security when you need to but understand that you can only rely on yourself for your personal safety.
5. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
We always say that self defence is 95% awareness and avoidance. So be vigilant and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Stay switched on to what is going on around you and who is near you
Pay attention to any safety announcements or instructions provided by the festival organisers.
6. KEEP YOUR DRINK COVERED
Drink spiking is all too easy when people are distracted and enjoying themselves. It can happen in a split second and right in front of your eyes - as demonstrated in the video below.
Keep your drink covered and never accept drinks from people you don’t know or trust.
If you suspect you have had your drink spiked tell your friend and seek help straightaway - you only have a short period of time to act.
7. AVOID RISKY BEHAVIOUR
Everyone wants to have a good time at festivals but indulging in risky behaviour increases your risk of becoming a victim.
Avoid:
Excessive drinking and drug-taking
Accepting drinks off people you don’t know or trust
Hooking up with strangers
Enjoy yourself but remember that your safety is the most important thing.
The trauma of an attack or assault can stay with you for life.
It’s not worth sacrificing your safety for momentary pleasures.
8. BE MINDFUL OF YOUR BELONGINGS
Keep your belongings secure at all times - drunk, distracted festival-goers are an easy target for thieves and pickpockets.
Carry a small bag or backpack that can be securely fastened and wear it in front of you in crowded areas
Avoid taking excessive cash, jewellery or valuables
Don’t leave valuables in your tent when you’re not there.
9. STAY VIGILANT IN CROWDS
Sexual assault can occur in tight crowds as this gives the perpetrator cover and confusion.
Try to avoid being right at the front where crowds of people are packed together.
And if you are, take a look around you and try to position yourself with people who aren’t too drunk and rowdy.
10. TRUST YOUR INSTINCT
This is huge and is one of the first things we teach in our personal safety and self defence workshops.
Always trust your gut instinct and if you feel uncomfortable in any situation, remove yourself from it and seek assistance if necessary.
11. KEEP A SAFETY ALARM IN YOUR TENT
Consider purchasing a safety alarm to keep on your bag and to hang inside your tent at night.
Make sure it is somewhere you can easily and quickly set it off (i.e. it’s no good at the bottom of your bag).
Test it before you go.
Note: don’t be lulled into a false sense of security because you have an alarm. You must be able to protect yourself even if the alarm doesn’t work or if you can’t set it off or if no-one comes to help you.
12. LEARN SELF DEFENCE
Take control of your own safety by learning self defence.
This essential life skill will help you be prepared, avoid dangerous situations and know what to do if things go physical.
Our online personal safety and self defence courses cover all aspects of staying safe, including:
The physical techniques you need to defend yourself (NO martial arts, kicking or punching - just simple and effective techniques)
How to avoid danger, analyse your environment and make yourself an undesirable target for predators.
In just a few hours you can learn the skills, techniques and mindset to keep yourself safe.
When you purchase an online course, you receive instant access and can watch the videos as many times as you want.
PERSONAL SAFETY TIPS
As well as following our 12 tips for festival safety outlined above, make sure you look after yourself by:
Staying hydrated
Staying hydrated is crucial, especially during outdoor festivals or in warm weather conditions.
Carry a refillable water bottle and drink water regularly to prevent dehydration.
Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeinated drinks such as energy drinks and coffee as they can dehydrate your body further.
2. Dressing appropriately
Consider the weather and the nature of the festival when choosing what to wear.
Choose comfortable shoes as you’ll probably do a lot of walking!
Dress in layers, especially if the temperature is likely to change throughout the day.
Don't forget to apply sunscreen and seek out shade if it’s hot.
3. Taking a first aid kit
Carry essential medications with you and have a basic first aid kit in your bag that you keep on your person.
Include:
Saline solution for eyes
Plasters
Cleansing wipes
Familiarise yourself with the festival's medical services and locate the first aid stations.
Be aware of any allergies or medical conditions of yourself and your friends.
FESTIVAL TIPS FOR WORRIED PARENTS!
If the thought of your teenager going to a festival is keeping you awake at night, you’re not alone!
Here’s our advice for parents:
Start an open, calm conversation about safety at the festival at least a few weeks before
Ask questions to find out if they have any worries or concerns
Explain how you are feeling and why
Ensure they know the reality of what can and does happen at festivals
Use the tips in this blog to help them prepare for the festival
Suggest you complete a self defence course together (watching one of our online courses is a quick and easy way to do this)
Let them know you are there for them no matter what happens. No judgement, no shame, just support.
MAKE YOUR FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE MEMORABLE FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS
When planning a fun festival adventure the last thing you want to think about is what can go wrong.
But by planning ahead, having open conversations with your friends, staying switched on and avoiding taking unnecessary risks, you can have a festival experience to remember for all the right reasons.
NEED SUPPORT?
We have a range of online self defence and personal safety video courses that are affordable and can be completed at home, in your own time. You can purchase online and receive instant access.
We also provide private self defence training and classes for schools, colleges, businesses and community groups.
If you have experienced assault, rape or a traumatic incident at a festival please seek help. It’s never too late to get support. Take a look at our support page for organisations that can help you.
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