This year’s Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity is set to introduce dedicated safe zones for attendees who “feel uncomfortable”, “need support” or want advice from safeguarding professionals.

According to AdWeek, the areas will be staffed by trained professionals for up to 22 hours a day (between 8.30am and 6.30am), for the duration of the festival.

The dedicated safe zones will operate from within the main venue at the Palais des Festivals, as well as at Pantiero Terrace (near the event’s registration space) and at La Roseraie park.

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The implementation of safe zones follows the testimonies of numerous women who claimed to have experienced sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour at last year’s event.

Pippa Glucklich, chair of TimeTo told Campaign: “The Cannes Lions team have listened and acted on feedback from last year’s festival, and we’re delighted they’re putting more safeguarding measures in place to ensure that everyone who attends can enjoy the festival safely.”

“The safe zones will not only be a place of safety should anyone experience unwanted inappropriate behaviour, but there will be a halo effect, acting as a deterrent to any potential predators as Cannes are clearly demonstrating that they operate a zero-tolerance policy on any form of harassment. We hope to help create an environment where no one experiences any type of inappropriate behaviour and we can all enjoy celebrating the best of creativity that our industry has to offer,” she added.