People go to concerts to have a good time. Whether it\u2019s to enjoy the music, dance, or just be part of the crowd. But for a surprising number of fans, that experience is tainted by something much more nefarious: sexual harassment.<\/p>\n
A new study published in Injury Prevention<\/em> <\/a>reveals that 61% of U.S. concertgoers say they\u2019ve experienced some form of sexual misconduct at live music events, ranging from lewd comments to straight on assault. The data are drawn from a 2024 national survey conducted by researchers Anna Elizabeth Price and Ashley Driscoll in partnership with GrooveSafe<\/a>, a nonprofit advocating for safer concert spaces.<\/p>\n The survey included 1,091 U.S. adults who had attended at least one live music event in the past year. The demographic leaned toward women (51%) and middle-aged attendees, most of whom went to concerts often or very often. Among them, 82% of women and 39% of men reported experiencing sexual harassment or assault at a live event. That includes being groped, followed, forcibly kissed, or subjected to inappropriate comments.<\/p>\n More than 1 in 5 women said it happened frequently. And yet, nearly 90% of all incidents went unreported. The main reason for this is that people just felt like it wouldn\u2019t matter if they report it.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most common barrier to reporting the incident expressed by both 1 in 4 men and women was the feeling that nothing would be done about it anyway,\u201d the authors wrote.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Women were more likely to report feeling unable to come forward due to being drunk or high. Some didn\u2019t know where to go for help. Others were embarrassed or feared not being believed. In a few cases, the perpetrator was well-known or held status in the music scene, further complicating the decision to speak up.<\/p>\n These moments\u2014small and large violations alike\u2014can leave lasting scars.<\/p>\n According to the researchers, three out of four victims said their experience negatively impacted their enjoyment of the music. Some changed their behavior to avoid future incidents. Women reported steering clear of mosh pits, altering their outfits; some even stopped going to concerts altogether.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t the first study to reach such conclusions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A 2018 report<\/a> from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas found that 92% of women surveyed had experienced harassment at music festivals. In one infamous case, a Teen Vogue<\/a><\/em> journalist was groped 22 times in a single day while covering Coachella.<\/p>\n In the UK, where studies have also tackled this issue<\/a>, researchers found that sexual violence \u201csignificantly impacts on (predominantly) women\u2019s musical participation.\u201d Many victims stopped attending shows, avoided particular venues, or experienced panic attacks in crowded spaces.<\/p>\n \u201cSexual violence significantly limits people\u2019s freedom to enjoy music,\u201d wrote researchers Rosemary Lucy Hill and colleagues. \u201cThis is an equality issue.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The risk isn\u2019t confined to dark clubs or alcohol-fueled festivals. In the U.S. study, women were more likely to report harassment at large arenas, especially when attending with friends or significant others. Research in Australia<\/a> has described music festivals as part of a \u201ccultural scaffolding of rape\u201d \u2014 a setting where normalized behaviors blur or erode the boundaries of consent.<\/p>\n This is a bit counterintuitive, as you\u2019d think that the sheer number of people would be a deterrent.<\/p>\n But as it turns out, it doesn\u2019t matter how many people there are around. The low lighting, anonymity, and the fact that most people aren\u2019t paying attention create a \u201cperfect storm.\u201d Touching someone can be disguised as bumping, and aggression as intoxicated exuberance. Venue layout and poor staff visibility only encourage such behaviors.<\/p>\n So what can be done?<\/p>\n Researchers and advocates say it starts with changing venue culture\u2014from policies to personnel.<\/p>\n Among the recommendations:<\/p>\n \u201cMusic venues should develop or expand on existing [sexual misconduct] prevention, training, and response efforts,\u201d the authors concluded. \u201cFuture research might examine existing policies and procedures related to SM prevention, communication, reporting and response.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Groups like GrooveSafe are already working with venues and festivals to implement these ideas. But the study suggests progress is uneven, and attendees often feel left to navigate the space alone.<\/p>\nA Disturbing Frequency<\/h2>\n
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The Cost of Silence<\/h2>\n
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Why Concerts?<\/h2>\n
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Beyond #MeToo<\/h2>\n