ARIA and PPCA acknowledge findings released by Music Industry Review and commit to action

The Music Industry has today released their review into Sexual Harm, Sexual Harassment and Systemic Discrimination in the report, Raising Their Voices. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) acknowledge the findings and commit to action.

The review’s key findings show reveal unacceptable levels of harm and discrimination in the industry and pinpointed the cultural factors that enable these behaviours. It also identified how the industry can address these problems and why it is in a strong position to do so.

The survey data is sobering. Sexual harassment and bullying are widespread

• 55% of participants reported sexual harassment or harm during their career in the music industry, including 74% of women and 39% of men

• 40% of women and 26% of men experienced sexual harassment in the past 5 years

• 76% of participants had been bullied during their career in the music industry

• 74% of participants had been bullied in past 5 years, including 81% of women, 67% of men and 86% of people identifying as additional genders.

Perpetrators are mostly male

• 74% of the perpetrators of sexual harassment were men (25% were female)

• 67% of those reported to be bullies were men (28% were women).

Bullies and harassers are often in senior roles

• 31% of bullying perpetrators were senior managers or business leaders

• 22% of sexual harassment perpetrators held positions of power.

Sexual harassment commonly occurs at music venues and events

• 72% of sexual harassment happened at music venues, festivals or on tour

• 51% of bullying occurred at an office or work-related event.

Perpetrators are rarely held accountable

People fear speaking out because they are worried about their career or wellbeing:

82% did not report incidents of sexual harm or harassment, only 3% made a formal complaint about sexual harassment

57% of those who did complain were dissatisfied with the outcome.

Everyday sexism is widespread

91% of women experience sexism from senior managers, supervisors or other leaders, including:

• being paid less than male colleagues

• having fewer leadership opportunities

• seeing their contributions devalued through “mansplaining”, interruptions and over-talking.

Young people and people of diverse backgrounds are at risk First Nations people, People of Colour, people with disability and LGBTIQ+ people often experience discrimination and are denied opportunities. Young people are particularly at risk of poor employment conditions as they often work unpaid.

Cultural factors normalise poor behaviour and facilitate harm

Factors that facilitate harmful behaviour in the industry include:

• its male-dominated culture, availability of alcohol and lack of workplace regulation

• inconsistent workplace requirements such as parental leave, flexible arrangements, and work health and safety protections.

The industry is ready for change

To effect change, a whole-of-industry approach is needed that takes advantage of:

• the strong appetite for widespread and sustainable cultural change

• the desire for industry leaders and influencers to champion and lead change.

The Music Industry Joint Statement Acknowledgement of Harm, of which ARIA and PPCA are signatories notes “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.

ARIA and PPCA Chief Executive, Annabelle Herd shared “The findings of the Music Industry Review are completely unacceptable and distressing. We acknowledge the harm outlined in the report and the impact on the lives of victim survivors. We also acknowledge the exceptional work of the Review team and the members of the Temporary Working Group. We are committed to working tirelessly with the industry towards a workplace that is safe, equal, diverse, inclusive, and fun. That work has already started.

“Right now, our focus is on working through and implementing solutions for sustainable change based on the recommendations of the report. The report has called for industry leaders to take charge of the situation and that is exactly what we will do, beginning with the recommended industry acknowledgement of harm sent this morning. But today, ours is not the voice that must be heard. Instead, we only want to amplify the brave voices documented in this report.

“I encourage everyone to read the accounts of the victim survivors and reflect on their experiences. It is their courage and strength that has allowed us to take first step toward meaningful change and we owe it to them to do the work and make this industry the best it can be for generations of Australian music professionals to come.”

The Music Industry Review’s report, Raising Their Voices, can be viewed here.

The Music Industry Joint Statement Acknowledgement of Harm, of which ARIA and PPCA are signatories can be read here