Music Community Leads Fight Against Sexual Harassment

Activist groups from Victoria's music community have come together to the lead the fight against sexual harassment in Australia.

Members of the Listen collective and advocacy group, Slam, are teaming up with the Victorian government to create a new taskforce that will lead programs in licensed music venues to create a safer environment for music lovers, artists and staff. 

Over the past four month the groups have been developing a policy surrounding the reports of sexual assault and harassment in music venues, and at the inaugural taskforce meeting held today, the first Terms Of Reference were positively received. 

Independent academic Dr Bianca Fileborn said the need for a program to combat sexual harassment in live music venues is essential. 

"We know that many victims do not report their experiences, and, when they do, that they are often not responded to appropriately by venue staff," Fileborn said.

"This taskforce represents an important initiative in helping to improve responses to incidents of harassment and violence, and in preventing it from occurring in the first place."

Meanwhile, Listen representative Katie Pearson commended the state government's willingness to get behind the taskforce saying.

"It’s great to see the State Government and other organisations get behind our campaign and commit to fixing the issue."

The taskforce will meet again early next month to consider their next plan of action.