Six out of 10 music fans in the United States have experienced sexual harassment or assault at live music events. A recent survey published in Injury Prevention highlights that women are more than twice as likely as men to face inappropriate sexual behavior at gigs. However, the majority of incidents go unreported.
The GrooveSafe Fan Experience Survey, conducted in 2024, invited adults to share their experiences. These adults had attended at least one live music gig in the previous year. Participants were asked about how often they attended. They were also asked about the types of inappropriate sexual behavior encountered. This ranged from unwanted comments or jokes to non-consensual sexual activity, further illustrating the broad scope of sexual harassment. Additionally, they reported the venues where incidents occurred.
Respondents who reported such experiences were also asked another question. They were asked if they felt able to report the incident to venue staff or security in cases of sexual harassment. For those who did not report, barriers included uncertainty about whom to contact, discomfort due to intoxication, difficulty finding help, fear of not being believed, and the perpetrator’s status or fame.
Key Findings
- A total of 1,091 people completed the survey, with 51% identifying as women and 66% aged between 30 and 49.
- 61% of respondents reported experiencing at least one form of inappropriate sexual behavior at a live music event.
- Women reported significantly higher rates of harassment: 82% of women compared to 39% of men. Among women, 20% said harassment occurred frequently.
- Inappropriate behavior was most commonly reported in large arenas and when attending concerts with friends or significant others, highlighting where sexual harassment often occurs.
- Most incidents were not reported: 88% of respondents did not notify the venue. Among those who gave reasons, 48% didn’t feel they could report it, and 42% could have but chose not to.
- The most common barrier for both men and women was the belief that reporting would not result in any action.
Global Context
Similar studies in Australia, the UK, Sweden, Finland, and Nigeria indicate that sexual harassment at live music events is a widespread problem. But few studies have examined this issue regarding sexual harassment specifically across a broad range of US venues, including festivals, arenas, theaters, and clubs.
Implications
Researchers note that such incidents can have lasting consequences on health, well-being, and social participation. They highlight that limited surveillance, weak regulations, and insufficient venue support exacerbate issues related to sexual harassment.
“The high prevalence of inappropriate sexual behavior reported in this study is disturbing as these incidents can have both short- and long-term consequences to health and quality of life, as well as social, cultural, and economic impacts,” the authors write. This context further emphasizes the impact of sexual harassment.
They recommend that music venues expand prevention, training, and response initiatives and suggest further research to examine the effectiveness of policies and reporting mechanisms that address sexual harassment.
