Rape, rape, rape, rape…….
The new Vikings of Sweden………
Fury over rape reports at Swedish music festivals
Published: 04 Jul 2016 17:13 GMT+02:00
Five rapes and a number of sexual assaults were reported at the popular Bråvalla festival in Norrköping over the weekend. Meanwhile, at the Putte i Parken festival in Karlstad, at least 35 groping incidents were registered by police, including teenage boys grabbing the breasts of female audience members.
As The Local reported last week, police have been handing out anti-groping campaign bracelets ahead of the summer festival season, aimed at raising awareness to curb sexual harrassment among young people. But on Sunday and Monday, calls were being heard for officers and organizers to take stronger action.
“They [festival organizers] perhaps want to take it seriously and they are on their way towards understanding after quite some time. But very little is happening,” Lisen Andréasson Florman, who runs non-profit initiative Nattskiftet, which aims to create a safe environment at festivals, told Swedish news agency TT.
Police press spokesman Thomas Agnevik, who was present at the Bråvalla festival, agreed in part.
“I can understand that criticism. As long as these serious crimes are happening, of course not enough has been done. Nobody should have to go to a concert and leave as a rape victim,” he told the newswire.
Some are calling for increased camera surveillance at festivals, while others argue that this would infringe on privacy. Agnevik said that without CCTV it is “impossible” to get a clear view of a 20,000-strong audience.
Meanwhile in Finland (courtesy of Jan Sjunnesson):
No cases of sexual molestation during festivals in Finland
Two major festivals held in Finland last weekend. Provinssi in Seinäjoki attracted 71 000 visitors and Tuska total of 28 000 metal fans to Helsinki. According to the organizers, everything went quiet and no cases of sexual harassment were reported during the festivals.
– We have not noticed anything. We always have it very easy, says producer Niklas Nuppola on Tuskafestivalen.
John Kinnunen on Provinssi say they followed with concern the news from Sweden. But adds that he has heard of similar cases in Finland.
– In Finland, the festivals calm and safe places to celebrate and feast on. I hope that it would be so also in the future, says information officer John Kinnunen on Provinssi.
