Warning: This story mentions sexual abuse and may be distressing
Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault at a popular North Island music festival for teenagers.
Soundsplash, in Raglan, Waikato, is one of the few festivals for under-18s. Nearly 10,000 people have attended past events, which run over three days.
The festival, and the alleged assault, happened last weekend, with police cordoning off a tent in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A festivalgoer told the Herald he woke up and noticed unmarked cars and detectives around a taped-off tent.
He believed it was serious and messaged others to stay away and give police space.
A police spokesperson said they were investigating a reported sexual assault at an event on Ngarunui Beach Rd in Raglan.
“Police were alerted about 3am on January 19, and a scene guard was put in place.
“Inquiries are in their early stages and the victim is being provided with support.
“While the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide further information at this time.”
A spokesman for Soundsplash said they would not comment while the police investigation was ongoing.
“Any reports of criminal behaviour on site at Soundsplash are handed over to police - in line with Soundsplash’s wellbeing policy and robust event security procedures - and the event team makes all efforts to assist police with their inquiries.
“Soundsplash’s terms and conditions of entry - including details of behaviours prohibited on site - are outlined on the official event website.”
Help Auckland’s executive director Kathryn McPhillips told the Herald that music festivals were like everywhere else, in that sexual assault occurred every day.
“Everyday attitudes that people have about relationships or consent, they take them to a festival.”
She said sexual assault at festivals was not due to the lowering of inhibitions from drugs or alcohol, but predatory behaviour.
McPhillips said festivals were now instituting messages about behavioural expectations.
“They may have designated caring people or people talking about consent,” she said.
“Festivals are now some of the places in our society where the most active work to not have sexual assault occur.”
Several incidents have marred the three-day Raglan festival during the past two years.
In 2023, teenage festivalgoers said they developed sunstroke symptoms while waiting hours in the searing heat without water.
Last year, an Auckland mum was left furious when her sick 16-year-old was left alone on the side of the road unconscious in the sweltering heat.
At the same festival, passengers on a bus carrying 50 teenagers began fainting due to an air conditioning malfunction while returning to Auckland.
Where to get help:
If it’s an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
If you’ve ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:
• Call 0800 044 334
• Text 4334
• Email support@safetotalk.nz
• For more info or to web chat visit safetotalk.nz
Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.
If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it’s not your fault.
David Williams is an Auckland-based Multimedia Journalist who joined the Herald in 2023. He covers breaking news and general topics.
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