Shocking reports of sexual assault have surfaced from two Swedish music festivals this past weekend.
Police received reports of 27 cases of sexual assault that took place between June 30 and July 1 at Karlstad's Putte i Parken festival. The victims of the alleged assaults were all female and range in age from 12 to 20.
Karlstad police officer Eva Hogfeldt told the Associated Press that the allegations include "groping and other sexual misconduct," and that no incidents of rape were reported. They are currently searching for seven male perpetrators.
The festival responded to the disturbing allegations, outlining the steps they are taking to "build a society where everyone can feel safe and secure — everywhere." You can see the festival's post about the incident below.
Nearby, at the Bravalla Festival in Norrkoping, five alleged rapes and more than a dozen suspected sexual assaults were reported between June 30 and July 2. Local police are currently investigating.
Mumford and Sons, who played at Bravalla, condemned the perpetrators' behaviour in the "hideous reports," declaring that they would not play the festival again until action is taken to "combat what appears to be a disgustingly high rate of reported sexual violence."
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has since commented on the situation, deeming it "totally unacceptable" and pledging to reform the country's sexual assault laws, while ensuring that law enforcement are equipped to investigate the already-reported crimes.
Police received reports of 27 cases of sexual assault that took place between June 30 and July 1 at Karlstad's Putte i Parken festival. The victims of the alleged assaults were all female and range in age from 12 to 20.
Karlstad police officer Eva Hogfeldt told the Associated Press that the allegations include "groping and other sexual misconduct," and that no incidents of rape were reported. They are currently searching for seven male perpetrators.
The festival responded to the disturbing allegations, outlining the steps they are taking to "build a society where everyone can feel safe and secure — everywhere." You can see the festival's post about the incident below.
Nearby, at the Bravalla Festival in Norrkoping, five alleged rapes and more than a dozen suspected sexual assaults were reported between June 30 and July 2. Local police are currently investigating.
Mumford and Sons, who played at Bravalla, condemned the perpetrators' behaviour in the "hideous reports," declaring that they would not play the festival again until action is taken to "combat what appears to be a disgustingly high rate of reported sexual violence."
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has since commented on the situation, deeming it "totally unacceptable" and pledging to reform the country's sexual assault laws, while ensuring that law enforcement are equipped to investigate the already-reported crimes.
