CW: Sexual Violence
Reports of sexual assault against performers at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe have increased by as much as 210 per cent, say comedy safety advocates Get Off Live Comedy!
August in Edinburgh is dominated by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival.
However, the increased footfall has come with a rise in reports of sexual harassment.
Get Off Live Comedy! reports that they received 31 complaints in the first 12 days of the festival, compared to an average of 10 to 15 a month.
Read More: EUSA Fringe employees on zero hour contracts left with no shifts: Reports of sexual assault against performers more than double during the FringeThe performing industry has an history with sexual harassment, which has been internationally recognised by movements like #MeToo and the conviction of figures like Harvey Weinstein.
A survey by Get Off Live Comedy! revealed that 1 in 6 live UK comedy performers have “observed or experienced some form of workplace sexual harassment on at least one occasion”.
This figure is 1 in 3 for female performers.
A spokesperson told comedy guide Chortle that: “‘A festival creates a cocktail of risk factors in which sexual harassment is known to increase: Late night working, alcohol, shared accommodation are just a few examples.
Read More: The University of Edinburgh fares poorly in the latest National Student Survey: Reports of sexual assault against performers more than double during the Fringe“There are others including power imbalances within the industry and a lack of clear and transparent and safe working practices.
“Nobody should be expected to silence an alarm regarding their own personal safety in favour of safeguarding their career.
“Where abuse and harassment does take place, it is an employer’s legal and moral responsibility to address it.
“We are here [at the Fringe] to celebrate, to work, to party but ultimately to be safe.”
“Edinburgh Festival Fringe” by martie1swart is licensed under CC BY 2.0.