The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) and Rape Crisis England and Wales have teamed up to build awareness of the possibility of sexual violence at festivals, targeting more than 25 music events such as Bestival, Boomtown Fair, Parklife and Secret Garden Party.

Measures include zero tolerance towards any form of sexual harassment, confidential welfare services for victims and specialist training for staff.

According to Rape Crisis England and Wales more than half a million adults are sexually assaulted each year with 85,000 women and 12,000 men suffering rape. Only 15% of the crimes are reported to police.

On New Year’s Eve last year more than 90 women reported being attacked by up to 1,000 men “of Arab or North African appearance” around Cologne cathedral.