Sexual harassment and racism ‘endemic’ in UK music sector | Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment, racism and bullying are rife throughout the music sector on a “devastating scale”, based on a survey {of professional} musicians.

A survey {of professional} musicians has painted an image of “unsafe workplaces the place perpetrators face no repercussions” and the place “quite a few allegations of sexual assault … could be a legal matter”. Nevertheless, the Integrated Society of Musicians stated that worry of reprisals stopped victims from making a criticism. A lot of these within the sector are self-employed and freelance and can’t afford to lose work.

Whereas issues have been raised in a 2018 report by the ISM, new analysis reveals the issue has worsened: “The prevalence of discrimination and inappropriate behaviours within the music sector has elevated,” it says.

The findings paint an image of “unsafe workplaces the place perpetrators face no repercussions” and the place “quite a few allegations of sexual assault … could be a legal matter”, however worry of reprisals has stopped victims from making a criticism. A lot of these within the sector are self-employed and freelance and can’t afford to lose work.

Assured of anonymity, skilled musicians shared their first-hand horrors of discrimination, from sexual harassment to bullying and racism.

One recalled: “I used to be instructed, as a feminine musician, I’d solely advance my profession if I used to be ready to provide sexual favours.”

One other stated: “I used to be sexually assaulted throughout a present run and felt unable to inform anybody as we nonetheless had three months of working collectively. It was probably the most troublesome occasions for me.”

Amongst many others, a performer revealed: “Orchestra conductor stated he needed to kiss me and once I refused, he didn’t rebook me.”

The musicians described discrimination as “endemic in the entire music career”, lamenting that such incidents “on the idea of gender and ethnic background” created a way of victimisation and injury skilled careers.

One stated: “Even when inappropriate and unfair behaviour was reported, the emphasis seemed to be on ‘no fuss please’ and ‘who is aware of about this?’”

Vick Bain, the ISM’s president and co-author of the report, stated of the findings: “They’re extremely appalling and miserable as a result of, once we launched the final report and referred to as on the business to take motion, we actually thought that there could be some motion. Practically 700 courageous people stuffed within the survey. To see that issues have gotten even worse, was actually very stunning.

“Everyone deserves to be secure at work and it’s a scandal that our good music workforce is being let down on this method.”

In 2018, the ISM’s first Dignity at Work report discovered that 60% of respondents had skilled sexual harassment.

The 2022 report discovered that “the prevalence of discrimination and inappropriate behaviours within the music sector has solely worsened”, with 66% of survey respondents experiencing some type of discrimination.

Its researchers concluded: “The survey outcomes have been clear that the self-employed and freelancer workforce are unprotected at work as they usually have nobody to report discrimination to, and are additionally fearful that elevating complaints will result in them being ostracised from future working alternatives. Those that are employed additionally don’t convey complaints – and once they do many are victimised or punished for doing so.”

The ISM is asking for the music sector to advertise a code of follow and for the federal government to amend the Equality Act 2010 “to make sure that all these working within the music sector are protected”.

Dr Aoife Monks, director of arts and tradition at Queen Mary College of London, stated: “The very important analysis that ISM has performed for this report makes it clear that pressing motion is required … Till the inequitable circumstances of a largely precarious freelance workforce within the music business are confronted, challenged and legislated for, arts employees will stay weak to the frankly horrifying experiences recounted on this report.”