A 32-year-old man has been charged, after allegedly grabbing a 19-year-old girl’s breast in the mosh pit at Falls Festival in Tasmania.
The alleged incident occurred during The Jungle Giant‘s set on the Marion Bay main stage at around 9.30pm on Friday night, with several punters who witnessed the incident helping the young woman to exit the pit.
“The perpetrator was identified by the victim and detained by security staff and taken into custody by Police shortly thereafter,” the cops confirmed in a statement.
The man from Carlton has been charged with “assault with indecent intent” and granted bail to front court at a later date.
Addressing the incident on Facebook, police said: “The key message here is that although the mosh pit itself is designed for close contact, any form of touching without the other person’s consent is not OK”.
The Marion Bay leg of Falls has been marred by several reports of sexual assault this year, despite plain-clothed police patrolling the mosh pits and stickers reading “enjoy the festival, don’t assault anyone” being handed out around the festival grounds in a bid to minimise attacks.
It comes after last year’s event was tarnished by a number of reported sexual assaults, including an alleged rape in the camping area.
Tassie Police say they’re Police “disappointed by the reported incidents of inappropriate behaviour” but add that “patrons were generally well behaved and in good spirit”.
They’re also encouraging anyone with info about incidents of sexual misconduct at Falls Marion Bay to contact investigators at Bellerive CIB on (03) 6173 2318 or anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers 1800333000.
