Until industry leaders implement meaningful measures to protect the wellbeing of music industry employees, we will continue with the vicious cycle of silence perpetuating silence. Sexual harassment and abuse have never been exclusive to one record label – these issues exist within every corner of the industry. Where is the morality of those representing known perpetrators, those actively working to silence victims with legal letters and those that knowingly harm others? As Tame warns, there are “monsters hiding in plain sight”. I am aware of perpetrators that currently sit in senior roles within music companies, perform on global stages, work in recording studios, head up major festivals and promote major music events across Australia and New Zealand. Countless others are enduring similar experiences, knowing their abusers remain in power across the industry today. As a survivor, having to co-exist in the same industry as the man who caused me so much harm has seriously impacted my mental health and career. We know who the perpetrators are – many of them currently work in our industry. I’m yet to see a single organisation take a proactive (rather than reactive) approach to conducting internal investigations into workplace culture following the #MeToo stories that surfaced in the past twelve months. Many within the music industry remain scared to speak up for fear of being ostracised and losing the careers they’ve worked so hard to build. And much like the government, sexual abuse and the silencing of victims will continue unless we demand serious change.įor every story told, countless others go unheard. The abuse was often at the hands of those in powerful positions, much like within the Morrison government. Many of my peers have experienced some form of sexual harassment, assault, misogyny, discrimination or bullying during their time working in the music industry. In 2021, the most powerful man in Australian music lost that power, and his job. But victims who were previously silent are beginning to find their voice. Where there is power, there is opportunity for it to be abused. Within Parliament and the music industry, the number of stories detailing sexual harassment and sexual assault continues to snowball. “Sexual harassment and bullying is rife in the corridors of power” When you are being threatened by some of the most powerful people in the Australian music industry, the message is clear: remain silent if you value your career and don’t want to see it destroyed. They have the influence and financial backing to silence victims. Thinly veiled threats like the one I received enable those in positions of power to continue to rule with fear. But as one of the few employees not bound by an NDA, I am not just able to speak out – I have a responsibility to. Many were concerned over my physical safety, that I would be buried in legal fees, or that my career would be destroyed and I would never work in music again. Prior to appearing on 7am “Everybody Knows” Podcast and Four Corners: Facing The Music, I was met with hesitation from almost everyone in my corner. The caller warned me to “never speak of the things I had seen and heard” while working with the company, and ended with what felt like a threat: “we don’t want to get the lawyers involved”. In 2016 I also received a call after leaving a major music company, offering me some “friendly advice”. Tame’s words were sadly all too familiar. During a speech that was both robust and persuasive, Tame referenced a threatening call she received from a “government funded organisation”.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |