“Our spaces must provide safety from harassment, violence, and abuse of power. Music should be a place of joy and inclusion for all.”
Laura Whitmore, Mabel, Anne-Marie, DJ Clara Amfo, Yasmin Evans and Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis are among the famous names pushing for an end to sexual harassment at gigs and festivals.
Friday saw the launch of the UN Women’s Safe Spaces Now initiative, as well as an open letter addressed to the music industry.
According to the campaign, seven in 10 women have been sexually harassed while attending a gig or a festival. Additionally, it points to the statistic that 95% of women who experience sexual harassment don’t end up reporting it.
The campaign also calls for an end to sexual harassment in the music industry generally, noting that 60% of people working in the industry have experienced it.
The letter reads: “Very soon, the music industry will be celebrating as our festivals and live events reopen to the world. It’s a moment we’ve all been waiting for. In a society that often works to divide us, music has the power to unite us – whatever the tough realities of life may be.
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“But now we must face our own reality. And this reality is one that our industry has too long ignored: venues, festivals, studios and workplaces are too often not safe spaces for women, girls and marginalised genders.”
The letter ends with a powerful call to action.
It reads: “We have a collective responsibility to take action. This restart needs to be for all of us. Our spaces must provide safety from harassment, violence, and abuse of power. Music should be a place of joy and inclusion for all.
“Let’s make 2021 the year the music and events industries rise up to the call of the #MeToo movement – and commit to change.”
