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Otherkin speak out in support of safe gigs for women

[Photo by: Otherkin/Youtube]

Everyone has the right to feel safe at shows. Music is meant to be a safe place for all who are involved, from the fans, to the band, to the crew involved, no one should ever feel scared or unsafe in an environment that's meant to bring people together. It's an issue that needs to be made aware, and one band has made sure their fans know that inappropriate behavior at their shows is completely unacceptable. 

Read more: Harry Styles was groped on-stage: Here's why the #RespectHarry campaign is so important

Grunge-pop band Otherkin chose to speak out after a fan made the band aware of an incident that occured during their Camden show. The band took to Twitter and Facebook, taking a strong stance on the matter and making sure people were fully aware that such behavior would not be tolerated. 

“Our gig in Camden last night was incredible. Honestly one of our favourite shows we’ve ever done in the UK, you guys were in it from the off and you didn’t let up once.

But we need to talk about an incident that happened last night: a girl in tears because she was groped in the mosh pit and apologising to me because she was worried that she was ruining our night by mentioning it. It was fucking heartbreaking. This is completely not on; not at an Otherkin show, not anywhere. We play loud, fast music. Mosh pits happen, circle pits happen; but if you think you can use either of those as an excuse to force yourself upon someone trying to enjoy themselves at our show then you best fuck back off to the basement you came from because you are certainly not welcome at an Otherkin gig.

Girls! We love seeing you shredding it in the mosh pit and if this ever happens to you at a gig of ours, please let us or one of our crew know and we’ll kick the prick out straight away. This shit needs to get stamped out of live music.

Much love and see you in the pit.
Luke, Conor, David and Rob xx”

 

The band included the hashtag #safegigsforwomen and received incredible, positive feedback from fans showing their support and sharing their stories.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, there is help to be found. Please consider these online resources:

A Voice For The Innocent – http://www.avoicefortheinnocent.org
Anti Violence Project (serves LGBT) – https://avp.org
Punk Talks – https://www.punktalks.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline – 800.656.4673
National Sexual Violence Resource Center – https://www.nsvrc.org