Stephanie G. Mathis The report highlights the widespread abuse of nondisclosure contracts, which protect perpetrators and silence victims. This means that people in the industry who attend parties and award shows do so alongside sexual abusers who are protected by the system.
This report is the culmination of a series of investigations into discrimination in the music industry conducted in recent years.
Discrimination is a culture
The Independent Society of Musicians released its report Dignity at Work 2: Discrimination within the Music Sector in September 2022. The report is based on responses to a survey from 660 music industry professionals.
The study found that 78% of the discrimination committed against women was due to gender discrimination. The discrimination was classified as sexual harassment in 58% of the cases, and 76% of those who worked at studios or events involving live music had experienced it. The study also revealed that 88% of self-employed respondents had not reported the discrimination they had experienced.
Recent research reports by Black Lives In Music, Donne Woman in Music, and women in CTRL are also important. These findings echo a few of the themes that have been identified by the Women’s Musical Leadership Online Network, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. I am the co-director of this network with Professor Helen Julia Minors from York St John University.
More problems for the industry
The music industry is rife with gender discrimination. Despite the fact that women’s representation in leadership positions has increased over recent years, it is still dominated by men.
Women are still not able to perform professionally in the same numbers as men due to persistent gendered associations with certain musical instruments and genres . Women were historically encouraged to play “ladylike instruments” such as the harp or piano, while wind and brass instruments were discouraged. Lower strings and percussion were also strongly discouraged.
despite the fact that many of these restrictions are no longer in place, they still exist today for drums, brass and bass guitar. Jazz, heavy-metal and rap are often viewed as masculine music genres (despite the fact that many women have contributed to these genres).
Women are more affected by intersectional barriers and racism, especially if they face them. Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock
is still dominated by men and has unequal work practices. The majority of people working in the industry are self-employed and have precarious contracts that often include antisocial working hours.
The childcare costs for self-employed musicians are exorbitant, and they are often not able to take any kind of maternity leave. Women in the music industry are subjected to a sexualized reception and constant scrutiny by media and social media. This is degrading, exhausting, and threatening. It is an open secret that so many women suffer from widespread sexual harassment and abuse.
The report on Misogyny in Music is a call to action for urgent change.
Recommendations of the Report
The Report includes 34 recommendations. The report calls on the government to pass legislation to “ensure that freelance workers receive the same protections against discrimination as employed employees.” The document also calls for an amendment of section 14. to the Equality Act in order “to better protect people who face intersectional inequality.”
The report calls on the government to “bring legislative proposals to ban the use of nondisclosure agreements and other forms in cases of sexual abuse, sexual misconduct or harassment, bullying or harassment and discrimination related to a protected characteristics” (characteristics that are protected by the Equality Act such as race and age). The report also recommends a moratorium for those agreements already in place.
The report announces the creation of a new Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority. This will act as a “single, recognisable organisation that anyone in the sector can turn to for advice and support”.
The report considers what additional requirements would be helpful to introduce in spaces where it is known abuse occurs. It recommends that all studios, music venues, security personnel who work there, and artists managers be licensed.
The report makes it clear that men’s behaviour is at the core of these problems. However, preventative measures risk normalising this type of behaviour, as they put the responsibility of avoiding victimization on women. In addition to legislative reforms, the music industry needs a cultural shift that will make it a more inclusive, supportive and safe space for women.
