Project SoundCheck™ partners up with more local festivals + launches anonymous reporting tool

Project SoundCheck™ is an Ottawa-based bystander intervention program that supports festivals and large events in preventing sexual violence. We want to bring our festivals, venues, and community together to challenge bystander apathy. Launched in 2015 in response to a 2014 study at the Ottawa Hospital that linked large events with an increase in sexual violence, Project SoundCheck™ is working with more festivals than ever before to combat the issue together. Festivals such as RBC Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa Dragonboat Festival, Beau’s Oktoberfest and Capital Ukranian Festival are a few of the many local event partners that have had their staff and volunteers trained in sexual violence prevention by Project SoundCheck™. Through our ongoing consultations with event volunteers, festival organizers, musicians, and gender-based violence experts, Project SoundCheck™ takes a collaborative and intersectional approach to preventing sexual harassment and assault. Most recently, Project SoundCheck™ has launched an anonymous reporting tool for people to have a way to report concerns and best practices regarding the inclusivity or festivals, large events and venues. The information gathered will be used in larger scale advocacy to end sexual violence at festivals and to break the culture of silence around sexual intimidation, harassment and assault.