Warning: This story contains detailed descriptions of sexual harassment and assault.
Teen Vogue has reported numerous sexual harassment reports including what the writer Vera Papisova experienced. Teen Vogue has said that there were 54 women who spoke to the magazine and all of them had a story about being sexually assaulted or harassed over the Coachella weekend.
In the article, she wrote “In the three days I was at Coachella, I only spent a total of 10 hours at the actual festival, where I watched numerous performances and interviewed festivalgoers about their experience with sexual assault and harassment for Teen Vogue. During the 10 hours I was reporting on this story, I was groped 22 times.” The writer has faced many acts of this conduct as it begins with a type of comment such as “What’s the secret behind that six-pack?”, then continues with unconsented touching.
Many of the stories talk about how unconsented touching is very common and all they want to do is enjoy the festival but they can’t because there is an uncomfortable environment. One story says “Of course sexual harassment happens here. It happens to us at all concerts. At Coachella it is so many people that men will get away with touching you, and they think we don’t notice. It happened to me many times already, and I notice every time.”
Sexual assault and sexual harassment has been a common experience at many music festivals. There has been some groups that have tried to help in these situations. For example the UK’s AIF Safer Spaces campaign encourages the music goers to intervene if they witness harassment or assault taking place.
Coachella has not released a response about the situation.
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