Despite years of efforts to halt rape and other sexual assault crimes through preventative strategy measures, sexual harassment is still deeply embedded into society today. With the onslaught of the #MeToo movement, which certainly shook things up within the film and other-sectored industries, there seemed to be a delayed response on the erupting scandals that were and have been happening for decades within the multi-million pound music industry.
The music world has always been jam-packed with Harvey Weinstein’s, though it would appear that systemic music culture like the era of groupies and ‘sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll’ has conditioned toxic behaviour to be normalised within the industry. From Elvis, to Bowie, to Dylan – none of their alleged sexual abuse claims prevented them from continuing to uphold a high status in the music world. It took almost three decades for R Kelly’s allegations to be taken seriously, despite his fondness for very young girls being of known knowledge.
Many female artists including, Lily Allen, Rebecca Fergusson, Chloe Hawl, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Kesha have come forward opening up about alleged sexual assaults and exploitation that has taken place within the music bubble. In an interview, Lily Allen spoke about the impact drug and alcohol-use has had on increasing harassment within the industry. Adding, “There isn’t a HR place to go to because everyone’s self-employed. You can’t go to the record company, nobody there’s looking after you. Management’s not looking after you. You’re all on your own.”
As a result of the above, Dorothy Carvello, who is a survivor of sexual abuse, as well as the first female to become an A&R executive at Atlantic Records, has launched her own foundation called ‘Face The Music Now Foundation’. This foundation aims to provide a safe space for anyone working within the music world to report discrimination and sexual harassment, and in turn pave the way for these individuals to “reclaim their lives”. On the Face The Music Now Foundation website, multiple statistics have been shown, revealing 72% of female musicians have reported some type of discrimination, a further 67% have reported they have been a victim of sexual harassment, and an additional 85% of victims have not reported their harassment due to fear around the industry’s culture. Carvello states, “I want to hear the stories of people who have been cast out of the music business. For those afraid to come forward, I’ll tell their stories for them”.
I’m certain there are still a cascade of stories yet to be heard within the music industry, but perhaps with foundations like Face The Music Now, more people will feel empowered to speak up and help change a system that for multiple decades has been filled with institutionalised abuse.
Find out more about the Face The Music Now Foundation here.
