News 1 September 2022

Music Industry Joint Statement of Acknowledgement

Today the Music Industry Review into Sexual Harm, Sexual Harassment and Systemic Discrimination report, Raising Their Voices, was released.

Music Industry Joint Statement of Acknowledgement

BACKGROUND  

Today the Music Industry Review into Sexual Harm, Sexual Harassment and Systemic Discrimination report, Raising Their Voices, was released. The report provides a blueprint on how we can take action to make the music industry safer, more inclusive, more respectful, and ultimately stronger. The report is based on robust evidence, drawing on a survey of almost 1,300 and the stories of over 300 music industry people who spoke to or wrote directly to the Review team.

 

STATEMENT 

As leaders in the Australian contemporary music industry, we accept the distressing findings of the Review. We acknowledge the harm documented by the Review, and we are sorry.   

This Review has been a vital process of listening and truth telling. We thank all the participants for their courage in speaking out, in bravely re-living their experiences, and engaging in this critical report. We acknowledge the impact of these behaviours on the lives of victim survivors from our industry.

Everyone has the right to work in an environment free from bullying, sexual harassment, sexual assault and discrimination. As disturbing and confronting as the findings are, the Australian music industry is committed to change and to rebuilding trust. The music industry should – and will – foster safe, welcoming, respectful, creative, and fun environments.  

We have been listening and have heard your calls for change. We can and will continue to do better. We all can. 

As leaders and members of the music community, we all have a responsibility to model courageous leadership and do our best to bring an end to poor and destructive behaviour. We urge all in the music industry to continue working with us to implement long-term, sustainable change for the better. We all have a personal and professional responsibility to make our culture the best it can be.  

We are committed to working through the recommendations of the report, doing the necessary work and being accountable, to ensure our industry workplaces are safe, inclusive, and respectful. Our work has already started, and it will not stop until we have a culture that is safe for all. 

 

SIGNATORIES

[PIAS] Australia and Inertia Music

Alberts

AMPAL

APRA AMCOS

ARIA

Artists Only

Association of Artist Managers

Australia Council for the Arts

Australian Festivals Association 

Australian Independent Record Labels Association

Australian Live Music Business Council

Australian Music Centre

Australian Music Industry Network 

Catherine Haridy Management 

Central Station Records

Chugg Music

Chugg Entertainment 

CMC Rocks 

Country Music Association of Australia

Electronic Music Conference 

Eleven: A Music Company 

Frontier Touring

Future Classic Recordings 

GYROstream 

John Watson Management

Live Performance Australia

Live Nation

Media Arts Lawyers 

Morph Consulting Services

Multicultural Arts Victoria

Mushroom Group

Music ACT

MusicNSW

Music NT

Music SA

Music Victoria

Native Tongue Music Publishing & Concord Australia

Nettwerk Music Group

Ourness

PBS 106.7FM

Peninsula Hot Springs

PPCA

QMusic

Red Rebel Music

Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation

Sony Music Entertainment Australia 

Sony Music Publishing Australia

Support Act

Sweat It Out

TEG

The Annex

Thinking Loud

TMRW Music Group

UNIFIED Music Group 

Universal Music Australia

Warner Chappell Music Australia

Warner Music Australia

To show your support and join this list, please click here.

SUPPORT SERVICES

The issues that the review is examining may cause distress and can be unsettling. Support Act offer a dedicated Sexual Health & Safety Helpline for artists, crew and music workers which is a free, confidential phone counselling service available to anyone who works in national music industry. It has trained Sexual Health & Safety experts for callers to speak with. It is accessible 24 hours a day by calling 1800 959 500 within Australia.

 

Remember: if you or someone you care about is in crisis or at immediate risk, dial 000.

 

You can also find support at a number of free helplines:

Support Act Helpline

1800 959 500 (Sexual Health and Safety Support Line – Option 5 on the Helpline)

1800RESPECT

1800 737 732

Lifeline Hotline

13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14

SANE

1800 187 263

Suicide Call Back Service

1300 659 467

Beyond Blue

1300 224 636