Woman condemns ‘degrading’ and ‘disturbing’ Halloween Park experience

Woman condemns ‘degrading’ and ‘disturbing’ Halloween Park experience Robyn Doughty describes her visit to Newsham Scream Park as ‘humiliating and quite disturbing’ - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in A woman has condemned a “depraved” adults-only Halloween Park experience in Liverpool after she was left shocked by the sexually graphic nature of her experience. Robyn Doughty, 33, said the optional Hellfire Club experience at Newsham Scream Park felt like a “simulation of... sexual degradation, and sexual violation.” The tattoo artist went with a group of friends on Thursday and was asked to sign a waiver before entering the over-18s section. But Ms Doughty has since taken to social media to call out the park, saying there should have been more warning after staff called them “s****” and made “all kinds of horrific sexual noises”. “The whole time they’re just calling you “s****” and berating you,” she said in a video shared to TikTok. “My friend walked out in tears and couldn’t even explain why she was horrified, and when I complained, I was told ‘oh it’s subjective’. "Where’s the warning? Their website lists be aware of PTSD and anxiety but nowhere does it say graphically sexual.” The scream park said its "terms and conditions, which must be agreed to before entering the attraction, outline the nature of the experience, including its adult and horror themes, physical interaction and sensory effects". Ms Doughty told Liverpool Echo: “I don't think I fully realised the scale of it myself until all these other people started coming forward. “I've had countless people in my DMs sharing similar stories, men and women, girlfriends and boyfriends, and the common denominator has been the same: it's degrading, humiliating and quite disturbing. “I think it's more complicated than just a scare. It's not a fun, physical scare - it's psychological. Because it's presented in such a light-hearted setting, people aren't prepared for it. These young, impressionable kids and people who might have experienced past trauma aren't prepared for it, because it's in a light-hearted setting.” On its website, Newsham Scream Park says it recommends the experience for adults only because of the “extreme level scare attractions designed to unsettle and terrify”. The park transforms a derelict Victorian-era building into an immersive horror experience every year for Halloween. “Step inside the darkness and face your fears across a series of live-action horror mazes, scare zones, and twisted theatrical experiences,” it says. “Our scare actors will bring your nightmares to life as you navigate haunted wards, deranged experiments, and unspeakable horrors lurking around every corner. Every room tells a story. Every hallway hides a scream.” Newsham Scream Park told the BBC the Hellfire Club was "designed to deliver an intense experience" and was optional and adults-only, with ID required for anyone under the age of 21. "Guest welfare is a priority throughout the attraction and our terms and conditions, which much be agreed to before entering the attraction, outline the nature of the experience, including its adult and horror themes, physical interaction and sensory effects," it said. "They also highlight that some elements may cause distress, identify circumstances in which the attraction may not be suitable, and explain that guests can end their participation immediately, at any time, using the safe word provided without explanation." The park said that guests changing their mind after reading the terms and conditions could have a refund and said it recognised the themes "will not be suitable for everyone and encourage all guests to read the information provided carefully before deciding whether to participate". Newsham Scream Park has been contacted for further comment. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email [email protected], or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments