Harm reduction at Bass Coast & nightlife safety [DMNW Interview]

Festivals like Bass Coast have built a reputation for being more than just parties. They’re spaces that prioritize respect, creativity, and community. But what does it actually take to create a safer festival environment? In our last conversation with Good Night Out Vancouver’s co-founder Stacey Forrester, we explored how nightlife spaces are shifting toward proactive safety measures. Now, we’re diving into how those same principles apply to festivals, what’s changed, what’s still missing, and why slow and steady progress is the way forward.

What are the biggest barriers to getting venues and festivals to take harassment seriously?

I think the biggest barrier is money. The industry is still bouncing back from COVID, and when a bar or event reaches out, they don’t always expect to pay for harm reduction services. But we have to charge—we need to pay our outreach teams and workshop facilitators.

When you ask people to work until 4 a.m. for free, that’s exploitation, and we’re trying to address exploitation in the industry. Even knowing that, we don’t make a profit from these services—we charge only what it costs to cover staff and supplies. Some venues don’t plan for this in their budget, and they struggle to find the funds.

That’s why I encourage people to think creatively about funding safety initiatives. Can you apply for a grant? Raise ticket prices by $3? At a 200-person show, that small increase generates a solid budget for harm reduction. Customers are smart—if they see a $3 harm reduction fee on the ticket, they’ll appreciate knowing their money supports safety. Some venues even donate coat check proceeds to cover these costs. The money challenge is real, but there are solutions.

Have you seen any success stories where attitudes about harm reduction shifted in unexpected ways?

Beyond funding, stigma is another huge barrier. Some venues hesitate because they worry about how their audience will react. My advice? Ask them. If you’re unsure, do a survey and ask,”What would you like to see at our events in 2026?” I guarantee many attendees will say consent education or harm reduction. That confirmation helps reduce stigma and gives venues the confidence to take action.

I’ve had venues tell me, “We don’t need this because we don’t have a problem,” which completely misses the point of prevention. Others assume harm reduction encourages risk, when in reality, it’s about reducing harm that’s already happening. Once a venue takes that first step, they often see how positively their audience responds.

I’ve also had people reach out hesitantly saying, “I’m scared to take this workshop,” or, “we’re worried about how it’ll look.” The unknown can feel intimidating. But our workshops are approachable: I don’t talk down to people or wag my finger. Give me an hour with any critic—I promise I can convert them.

Bass Coast is known for fostering a respectful and creative environment. How do you tailor Good Night Out’s approach to festivals compared to urban nightlife spaces?

Yeah, they definitely both have their challenges. I think that with a festival, I would say the biggest challenge is we’re only there for three days so we have to be realistic about what measures will work here and what we can use. Whereas a venue, they’re there all the time. If something doesn’t work very well, we can pivot and try something new there. Because they’re open every weekend, there’s lots of opportunities for feedback, so that’s one of the main differences.

So, when working with venues, I like to kind of know what their safety goals are, what they’re already doing, and then give them one or two things to try. With a festival, we kind of have to prioritize, like, “Okay, you’re only here for three days. Obviously, we can’t do everything right away.” So for this first year of you having harm reduction, pick one thing you want to do, and then next year, if it went well, we’ll add to it.

I’ve been with Bass Coast for 11 years now, and my first year, we weren’t drug testing with 100 volunteers in a 24-hours space. We were in a tent with a few volunteers and we gradually grew. I think that’s really important with festivals: don’t try to do all the things the first year, because you’ll probably not do them very well.

If you try that, you run the risk of bringing bad habits into the following years?

Yeah, and all it takes is someone having a not‑great encounter for them to be like, “That service isn’t helpful, you know – like, I went there and it said it was going to be 24-hours, but it wasn’t, you know.” And so we want to do things well, rather than risk someone not getting what they need or avoiding the help that they need.

Condoms and seat belts are both forms of harm reduction—you’re not assuming you’ll get into a car accident or contract an STI, but you take precautions just in case. Would you say harm reduction for drug use follows the same principle?

Totally. By the time someone steps into a harm reduction space, they’ve likely already made a decision about their weekend plans. That’s why it’s a prime opportunity to equip them with the right information to make safer choices. Whether that’s testing their substances, pacing themselves, or using protection if they’re going to engage in intimacy.

Seat belts and condoms work the same way—we don’t assume something will go wrong, but we prepare people just in case. Even small harm reduction steps matter, like using a personal straw if you’re putting something in your nose to avoid sharing germs or viruses. It’s all about reducing risk in practical ways.

Bass Coast and other festivals are proving that harm reduction isn’t just a side initiative – it’s a fundamental part of creating a safer, more inclusive space. But what happens when these ideas move beyond festivals and into everyday life? In our final conversation with Stacey Forrester, we drive into how consent culture, harm reduction, and community accountability are shaping the future of nightlife and beyond.