Nicola MacdonaldPhoto credit: Olle Kirchmeier
Bråvalla and Putte i Parken music festivals in Sweden have received reports multiple sexual assaults on girls aged between 12 and 17.
Putte i Parken received 35 reports of sexual assault over the two-day event on 1-2 July, while Bråvalla had five reports of rape and 12 sexual assaults.
British band Mumford & Sons have boycotted future Bråvalla Festivals, releasing a statement on Facebook saying:
“We’re appalled to hear what happened at the Bråvalla Festival last weekend. Festivals are a celebration of music and people, a place to let go and feel safe doing so. We’re gutted by these hideous reports.
“We won’t play at this festival again until we’ve had assurances from the police and organisers that they’re doing something to combat what appears to be a disgustingly high rate of reported sexual violence.”
Swedish singer Zara Larsson also spoke out on social media after five rapes were reported during her set at Bråvalla, writing: “Where do all the ‘nice guys’ go when girls are raped? Are you too busy telling women how nice you are?”
Police press spokesman Thomas Agnevik, who was present at the Bråvalla festival, commented: “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.”