Sexual Violence- 7 Disclosures & Complaints (HIDDEN BUT IN USE. DO NOT DELETE)

ASSAULT ON SITE

ASSAULT OFFSITE

SHOW TIME DISCLOSURE

section(s): 7.2.1

section(s): 7.2.2

OFF SEASON DISCLOSURE

section(s):7.2.3

section(s): 7.2.4

 

7.1 Onsite Support Team

Bass Coast has an onsite support team to support survivors of sexual violence. 

This onsite team is available to people who experience sexual violence at the event as well as people who are struggling related to past experiences as a survivor, including if they see their perpetrator at the event.

This team will be made up of volunteers within the Harm Reduction team, who are selected to be in this role while on shift. Bass Coast will aim to have 2 members of this team per shift. In the case that this cannot be met, one will be available on call. This team and schedule will be established before arriving onsite.

This team is curated to be as representatively diverse as possible to best support survivors. 

Members of this team need to have demonstrated knowledge of sexual assault, understanding of the impacts of trauma, active listening and understanding of gendered and sexual violence.  

This team will work with onsite security in responding to the needs of survivors.

7.2 Sexual Assault Disclosures

Bass Coast is aware that management or Harm Reduction may be the first point of contact for people wishing to disclose that the person who harmed them is onsite at the event or connected to the event. 

The first point of contact will need to determine whether this is a situation involving a: 

Disclosure - The survivor wishes to receive support listed in support Section(s) 7.1 and/or 12.0 with no action taken from the festival beyond documentation. 

Report  - Make a formal report to the festival as a means to mobilise an assessment and coordinated response from the festival and/or festival security.

New for 2024,  Bass Coast has partnered with REES (Respect, Educate, Empower

Survivors) to provide online reporting for unwanted sexualized behaviours. REES allows

festival-goers, performers, staff and volunteers to Create a Record of the incident and share it

with festival organizers. REES also provides information about community-based resources such as sexual assault centres, healthcare and other support services. This will be where on-site and off-season reports will be collected. Bass Coast will no longer accept disclosures or responses over email. 

REES can be accessed online at any time, year-round. Go to

https://www.reescommunity.com/festivals/

Depending on the context of the assault, the time of disclosure, and who is the alleged perpetrator, Sections 7.2.1-7.2.4 outline the course of action.

IMPORTANT:  If disclosure involves a representative from the festival or involves a potential workplace safety issue, WorkSafe requirements must be met. See Section(s)  7.2.5.

7.2.1 Showtime Disclosure: Onsite Assault

Is the survivor in immediate further physical danger (i.e. being chased)?;

If yes: security to be dispatched immediately if they have not been already;

Security will respond as per their own protocols to identify the perpetrator, assess the risk to other attendees and determine the appropriate response;

Is the person in need of medical attention?

Radio to Medical and ask them to go on a private channel

Once on private channel, let them know you are bridging someone in for assessment due to a possible sexual assault onsite

DO NOT MENTION SEXUAL ASSAULT ON ANY OPEN CHANNEL

Escort them to the Medical Tent 

Do not let them use the washroom or change enroute

Radio to Dispatch and ask them to go on a private channel

Once on private channel, let them know have brought someone to medical for assessment due to a possible sexual assault onsite and ask them to send someone to standby

Bass Coast Team member to enter details into the REES Reporting Platform

Assess if local sexual assault service should be called.

Incidents in which a crime has been committed (assault of any sort) where a survivor wishes to file a report with the police will result in a call to the police.

Ask if the Victim/Survivor if they plan to involve the police, and if so, they will need to make that call themselves. If yes, ensure that the Security Manager is aware of the call. 

Encourage the person reporting not to wash, shower or swim before talking to authorities while supporting the victim/survivor/survivor (if the survivor wishes to make a police report), collect as much info about the situation and other festival-goers involved;   

The safety and wellbeing of attendees are to be managed but no interviews or further statements are to be taken by the festival team before police take statements as part of their investigation on site. 

If they are not in danger, do not need medical attention, and do not want police called - should the Security still be involved?

If patrons are still onsite (it is still showtime), it is strongly advised that the security manager or team is strongly advised to check in with the victim/survivor. 

If they are not in need of medical attention and not in danger and not involving police:

Again, ask security to acknowledge them and let them know they are available if needed;

Take the survivor to a private area (sanctuary or other suitable place on site); 

Confidentiality must be adhered to as outlined in Section 11.0;

Offer the person disclosing the option of having a Harm Reduction member present as they wish throughout the process;

Harm Reduction team to offer further support to the survivor, friends, and festival-goers as needed;

Harm Reduction and security to create support plan with survivor for remainder of festival and following as per Section 12.0

Security to work with attendees involved, Harm Reduction, other teams as needed, and the survivor to determine what happens with the perpetrator, if they are not handed off to police. 

In situations where a survivor does not want police involvement, the security manager can assess the incident and recommend to Bass Coast Management whether an alleged perpetrator should be asked to leave the festival. 

Bass Coast reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to refuse entry to anyone without a refund of ticket or reservation/RV camping fees.

The details of the assault should be entered by the victim/survivor using the REES Reporting Platform. If the victim/survivor is unable to enter the details, a Bass Coast team member can enter then alongside the victim/survivor.

Bass Coast recognizes that sexual violence exists on a spectrum. In some situations, it may be more useful and build greater community capacity to respond with dialogue and education, as opposed to strictly employing punitive measures. As such, after the above steps are completed, the actions carried out in response will be incident-specific, take into consideration the ongoing safety of the community and the victim/survivor, and also be reflective of resources available at the time. Potential restorative or remedial practices that may be utilized are outlined in Section 9.0.

7.2.2 Showtime Disclosure: Offsite Assault

NOTE: Bass Coast may be limited in their capacity to respond to disclosures that come in the 10 days prior to the show. 

Bass Coast recognizes that due to the pervasiveness of sexual violence in the greater community, that there may be people on-site who have experienced sexual violence in their past. 

If someone discloses that they are seeking support and (to their knowledge) their alleged abuser is not onsite - the survivor is to be directed to the Harm Reduction team. Measures outlined in Section 12.0 are offered.  

If someone discloses that they are seeking support and their alleged abuser (from a previous assault that happened offsite) is onsite - a coordinated response between the survivor, security, and Harm Reduction will be required.

In either context:

Bass Coast representative to collect details using REES, even though the assault did not happen onsite 

A Harm Reduction team member will place a Yellow Sticker to be placed in top Right Hand corner of this persons visitor form

If disclosure involves a representative from the festival or involves a potential workplace safety issue, additional steps may be required as per WorkSafe policy, follow up with Production Manager.

Bass Coast representative to clarify limits of confidentiality as per Section 11.0

Working with the survivor, Harm Reduction and security,  follow relevant  and applicable actions outlined in Section 12.0.

7.2.3 Offseason Disclosure: Onsite Assault

Despite encouraging people to access options onsite, Bass Coast is aware and prepared for that fact that survivors may wish to disclose an onsite assault in the offseason. Disclosures will be received through the REES platform.

All patrons, team and artists are encouraged to utilize this platform for sharing their experiences of safety at Bass Coast and related events. 

Bass Coast staff will monitor the platform with assistance of the Harm Reduction Managers and the Equity Committee (when established) as appropriate. 

Initial messages will be acknowledged within 7 days.

Disclosures can only be taken:

  • from victim/ survivors themselves (we are unable to take 3rd party reports)
  • Via the REES platform

If a complaint is launched from the disclosure, assessment(s) will be completed as per Section 8.0;

Outcome of disclosure will take into consideration, findings of any assessment, the survivors wishes, capacity of festival, and recommendations from festival security and legal team;


Despite encouraging people to access options onsite, Bass Coast is aware and prepared for that fact that survivors may wish to disclose an onsite assault in the offseason. This is to be done via the REES platform. Disclosures cannot be taken via email. All patrons, team and artists are encouraged to utilise this tool for sharing their experiences of safety at Bass Coast and related events. 

7.2.4 Offseason Disclosure: Offsite Assault

If the incident does not involve: 
A representative of Bass Coast or;
A situation that could create a hazardous or unsafe workplace

AND 

the incident did not happen at the festival or other Bass Coast event, the scope of this policy may limit the response to that of the supports outlined in Sections 10.0 and 12.0. 

7.2.5 Disclosures involving Bass Coast Team

Under the Workers Compensation Act, employers are required to ensure the health and safety of their workers. This includes an obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent or minimize workplace bullying and harassment.

Bass Coast is responsible for implementing policy and procedure to create a workplace that is free of Bullying and Harassment, which includes sexual harassment. The following obligations are met via this policy:

Taking steps to prevent or minimize abusive behaviour, as is defined in the Code of Conduct, Sections 5.0 and 6.0.

Developing and implementing procedures for reporting incidents Sections 5.3 and 7.0.;

Developing and implementing procedures for dealing with complaints from team member against team member. Section 8.0.

Any party working for Bass Coast who wishes to make a complaint about another worker has the option to access investigation and reporting and is protected from retaliation as per WorkSafe Legislation.