told me. T he bands that I spoke to weren't aware of any incidents
happening at their gigs, and although this may be the case, it's
probably unlikely due to how regularly it happens.
However, if victims don't feel safe enough to come forward and
tell someone what has happened then no one will know what's
going on, which is why the safety and security that Girls Against
are offering is so important and helpful.
When fighting gig groping, it is important to remember that the
responsibility lies solely with the perpetrator to keep their hands
to themselves, but if bands, security and fellow gig-goers work
together then they can help and gigs can return to being simply
about the music.
"If someone DMs us with their experience we're primarily there
to listen. I found it easier to speak to someone I didn't know so
the same thing goes for Girls Against. We also, with your explicit
permission and anonymously, use your story to prove to bands
and venues that this is a real issue and give us an idea of people
and venues we should be contacting."
Bands such as Wolf Alice have been particularly vocal about
fighting sexual harassment
at their gigs, but lots of other bands have had their say about
the issue. "Girls Against are helping to raise awareness
to a very important issue. It's shocking how often these things
happen at shows, and they're working towards putting an end
to it;' Tarek Musa, front man of Manchester band Spring King,
told me. His band mate James Darlington said "It's so important
people feel safe at these gigs
- it's something instigated by bands like Bikini Kill in the early
90's, and still needs to be at the forefront of people's minds
today."
Kieran Shudall, the front man of Liverpool based indie rockers
Circa Waves, agreed. "I can't imagine how scary it must be for it
to happen and it certainly puts a dark cloud over our gigs;' he
As the issue is ongoing, it remains unclear whether Girls Against
will really make a difference in the long run- but it's definitely a
start. If the group keeps on growing in popularity then who
knows - maybe people will remember the actual reason why they
go to gigs and keep their hands to themselves.