A Liverpool theme park is under police investigation after a woman said she was sexually degraded by actors at its 18+ horror attraction, the Hellfire Club. Robyn Clove, 33, visited Newsham Scream Park on October 15 with friends to start her Halloween celebrations but said she was 'humped' and verbally abused by performers.
What happened at the Hellfire Club
Robyn told Metro: 'It was creepy, irresponsible and I feel like it's a massive overstep. My friend left crying her eyes out. I left there angry.' She described being blindfolded while two 'Ed Gein-style characters' circled her and her friend, calling them 'sluts and whores' and 'humping us from all sides'.
She said: 'I felt a shaft in my shoulder and on the side of my face – I think it was a dildo. We just thought whoa. The right side of your brain is like "this is pretend" but the left side of your brain is going "wait why does it feel wrong".'
Later, Robyn said a priest in a confession booth made explicit sexual remarks, a nun handed her a note with a degrading sexual slur, and a man rubbed her hand up his leg and pumped her finger into what she believed was a fleshlight while moaning. 'They're calling me slut, whore, and intensely moaning like in porn,' she said.
Waiver and warnings
Robyn signed an online waiver minutes before entering, after quickly glancing at the 1,300-word form. Newsham Scream Park did not provide a copy of the waiver to Metro. Robyn said there was no clear signage in the queue warning of the content, and while a safe word ('escape') was available, she believes the environment made it hard to think clearly.
The park's website does not mention explicit sexual content in its description of the Hellfire Club and states: 'The experience does not involve sexual activity. Any deliberate inappropriate touching of performers will result in immediate removal from the attraction.' It describes the attraction as an 'adults-only immersive horror experience incorporating live performers, physical interaction, special effects, darkness, loud and sudden noises, foul language, adult content, horror and religious themes, and material which some guests may find offensive, distressing or upsetting.'
Robyn said she felt unprepared: 'You put this on in the name of Halloween and you expose these scenes of a graphic sexual nature to young girls and boys, and people with trauma.' The website says the attraction is not suitable for those with trauma but does not specifically mention survivors of sexual assault.
Police investigation
After Robyn shared her account online, it reached more than 50,000 views and more women contacted her with their own stories. Merseyside Police has begun an investigation. A spokesperson said: 'We're aware of allegations relating to a Halloween themed event at Newsham Park. Officers have contacted a woman after allegations were made online about an incident on Thursday 15 October and further enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.'
Newsham Scream Park said it 'clearly identified as an 18+ attraction with ID required' and that all guests must sign a digital waiver. A spokesperson said: 'There is CCTV in place covering the entirety of this attraction and the full event to protect all participating guests and actors.' They added that guest welfare is a priority and that terms and conditions outline the nature of the experience, including adult and horror themes, physical interaction and sensory effects. The park encourages guests to read the information and consider whether the experience is right for them, and says those who change their minds are entitled to a refund.
