The National Outdoor Events Association, (NOEA) has announced the launch of a new campaign to encourage better treatment of staff, volunteers and attendees of events.

The new campaign, simply called ‘Respect’, will include a Respect Charter that events-based organisations can sign up to. The campaign’s aim is for events businesses to demonstrate a zero-tolerance approach to all kinds of harassment at events.

NOEA has developed an open source slogan to be used by any organisation looking to sign up to the charter in order to show all staff, contractors and delegates that the event will not tolerate harassment. As part of signing up to the campaign, the branding can be supported by poster templates in addition to guidance on how to deal with complaints and staff training.

Founder of Hybred Events and NOEA Council Member, Becky Stevens said: “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.

“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, with the Charter to be developed collaboratively with the industry. The association is also working with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to bring education on 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: “The Equalities and Human Rights Commission are also delighted with the Respect campaign and are convening a working group on the project. They are also working with us to pull together a simple guidance pack for organisation’s signing up to the charter.

“There are already some really great examples of events who 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.”