#ItTakesOne: Falls Festival Artists Took a Stand Against Sexual Assault

Trigger Warning: This article discusses sexual assault.

Music festivals in Australia have come to earn an unsavoury reputation over the years as more stories have come forward about sexual harassment and assault occurring in mosh pits and on camping grounds. 

Despite volunteers at one of Australia's biggest music festivals, Falls, handing out badges and stickers that very clearly outlined "Sexual assault is a crime" and "enjoy the festival, don't assault anyone", this year was no different.

There were two reported sexual assaults at the 2017/18 Falls Festival run, with both happening in Tasmania's Marion Bay.

So, one band decided to do something about it.

Melbourne trio Camp Cope teamed up with a screen printer and an artist to create some T-shirts to hand out to the other artists playing at the festival. 

The shirt reads: "THE PERSON WEARING THIS SHIRT STANDS AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DEMANDS A CHANGE."

 

THE PERSON WEARING THIS SHIRT STANDS AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DEMANDS A CHANGE. calling all falls festival artists, we’re giving you all some gifts we’ve made with the help of @axcoping and @mongofreak. call it by its name. stand with us and demand a change. be brave and wear this on stage. come find us for shirts before we find you. #ittakesone #fallsfestival @flumemusic @fleetfoxes @runthejewels @thekooksmusic @glassanimals @pekingduk @angusandjuliastone @fosterthepeople @liamgallagher @grinspoon_band @vincestaples @jungle4eva @dunerats @thesmithstreetband @sanciscodisco @bigbabydram @braithwaitedaryl @e_e_ @alldaychubbyboy @thejunglegiants @thundermen_fans @methylethel #ittakesone

A post shared by @ camp_cope on Jan 4, 2018 at 3:16pm PST

Camp Cope handed out the shirts to willing artists and snapped pics for the gram to show who stood with them against sexual assault and harassment at music festivals.

Some of the artists who wore the shirts included Thundamentals, Luca Brasi, Alex Lahey, Ecca Vandal, Bad Dreems and the DZ Deathrays.

The move is a part of the It Takes One campaign, which aims to raise awareness and improve safety at music gigs around Australia. Camp Cope has spearheaded this project since 2016.

"Every single person at a show is important, and every single person at a show can make a significant difference," Camp Cope explained.

"It takes one person to f*** a show up for everyone, and likewise it takes one person to call out this behaviour and initiate change."

So, remember, if you see something happening next time you're at a music gig, do something about it. It only takes one person to make the change.

Have you experienced sexual assault or sexual violence? Seeking to support someone who has? Call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

Photo: Instagram (@camp_cope)