The Shambhala New music Competition, hosted in Salmo, B.C., due to the fact 1998, is postponing this summer’s virtual event after sexual violence allegations were being made on line against at minimum a single of its performers.
In a information launch circulated on Saturday, organizers of the digital dance music competition said there have been really serious allegations made against previous and existing performers.
“We recognize that forms of sexual violence exist in our modern society and we just take accountability for the role festivals participate in in this,” organizers said in the release.
The on line edition of this year’s competition was established to get started July 23, but organizers say it truly is been postponed so a evaluation can be executed of the guidelines and techniques that are in place to preserve attendees, personnel and performers secure from sexual violence or abuse.
The announcement arrived after allegations were being made about United kingdom artist Billy Kenny, who has performed Shambhala before and was established to conduct as section of the on line event this calendar year.
‘Dismantle rape culture’
To begin with, on July 13, organizers introduced that Kenny had been removed from its residence digital streaming event.
“We just take any allegations of assault, no matter whether it be actual physical, verbal or sexual, pretty significantly and we do not condone that conduct in any way,” it mentioned on Twitter.
Outrage grew steadily on line as extra people today spoke out about Kenny and his participation at gatherings like Shambhala.
Now organizers of Shambhala say they will right away undertake background checks for artists and have “a zero-tolerance coverage for assault of any type.”
The festival will also do even more teaching for personnel about handling experiences of sexual harassment or violence at the competition.
“We know that these steps is not going to lower the trauma felt by anyone who has experienced sexual violence,” organizers mentioned in the launch. “But we move ahead with the dedication to dismantle rape tradition and we just take accountability for the role festivals participate in in this.
“We would like to supply our sincerest apologies to all of all those afflicted and thank all those who exhibited the braveness to discuss out.”
Various people today on line commended the competition for taking even more motion.
The competition has developed steadily due to the fact 1998 when about 500 people today attended. That selection has developed to extra than seventeen,000 in new many years.
Organizers say they consider Shambhala New music Festival a leader in damage reduction. In 2015, it started offering information and absolutely free drug screening for attendees who smuggled in the substances. The code of perform agreed to by attendees when they buy a ticket prohibits the possession of illicit medicines.
Solutions for Sexual Health and fitness also delivers sexual well being companies at the competition.
Organizers have not nevertheless responded to a ask for from CBC News for even more remark on its launch.
Crucial update pertaining to damage reduction and Shambhala at House 👇 pic.twitter.com/jn6q971Z5j
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