The UK’s National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) has launched a new campaign to encourage better treatment of staff, volunteers and attendees of events.
The new campaign, branded ‘Respect’, will include a Respect Charter that events-based organisations can sign up to. The aim is for events businesses to demonstrate a zero-tolerance approach to harassment of any kind at an event.
NOEA developed an open source slogan for use by any organisation looking to sign up to the charter, as a sign to all attendees, staff and contractors that the event will not tolerate harassment of any kind. The branding can be supported by poster templates and also guidance on staff training and how to deal with complaints.
“Whether we like it or not, harassment is part and parcel with working on, and attending, major events, both as staff members, volunteers, and often attendees,” comments Becky Stevens, Founder of Hybred Events and NOEA Council Member. “It’s something that happens all too frequently and just isn’t acceptable. This campaign is about the industry coming together to show a zero-tolerance approach to it, and hopefully stamp it out.”
The Respect campaign was launched at the NOEA Annual Convention at The Guildhall in Bath, with the Charter to be developed in partnership with the UK industry. The association is also working with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to share learning around the type of preventative strategies that work to stop sexual harassment in the first place. Part of this work involves contributing to a new hospitality sector working group chaired by the Equality and Human Rights Commission that will explore how to address these issues guided by their best practice.
Stevens added that there were already great examples of events which look to address the respect of its people, massively reducing the number of reported incidents. “This campaign can be a real support for those looking to do more,” she added.
