UK Govt Rejects Findings Of Music Industry Misogyny Report

The UK government has rejected findings from the Misogyny In Music report published in January, to the disappointment of music industry figures in the UK, NME reports.

Earlier this year, the Women And Equalities Committee (WEC) warned the UK government that “urgent action” was needed to tackle the “boys club” and “gendered power imbalances” in an industry “dominated by self-employment.”

Elsewhere in the report, it was found that non-male professionals in the music industry faced harrowing rates of sexual harassment and abuse. In a 2019 survey conducted by the Musicians’ Union, 48 per cent of 800 respondents said they had experienced sexual harassment at work, and 58 per cent said they’d witnessed it.

In addition to allegations of assault and harassment in the industry and “a focus on their [women’s] physical appearance”, the report mentioned the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), signed by alleged survivors who had been “threatened into silence”.

A summary of the report noted that “non-reporting of incidents of sexual harassment and abuse is high” and that when victims do file reports, it’s not often authorities don’t believe them or take them seriously.

“Even when they are believed,” the WEC wrote, “more often than not, it is [the victim’s] career, not the perpetrators’, that ends. In many cases, those who do report harassment or sexual assault regret doing so due to the way it is handled.”

To curb this trend, the WEC said the newly established Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) would “help to shine a light on unacceptable behaviour in the music industry and, in doing so, may reduce the risk of further harm”. They added that CIISA is “not a panacea for all of the problems in the industry [and] other reforms remain crucial, and time will tell whether it has the powers required to drive the changes needed”.

After the findings were revealed, a cross-party committee of WEC MPs called on the UK government to make legislative amendments to the Equality Act.

The recommendations to the UK government included installing new protections for freelance workers (to have the same protections from discrimination as full-time workers), protecting workers from sexual harassment, and government and broader industry investment in getting non-male workers in male-dominated areas (sound engineering, production, A&R, etc.) and “a retrospective moratorium on NDAs”, as well as recommendations for studios, music venues and security staff.

Months after the report was shared, the government rejected any recommended actions.

Despite rejecting taking action, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport commented: “Everyone should be able to work in the music industry without being subject to misogyny and discrimination.”

In a statement, the Department added, “The Government recognises the important role the music industry plays in improving access and opportunities for women. This includes the work of organisations such as Women in CTRL, whose aim is to advance sex equality in the music industry and GIRLSofGRIME, a grassroots talent development organisation supporting women in music.”

The government’s response has been met with disappointment within the music industry. WEC committee chair Caroline Nokes MP said, “Ministers are letting women down with their feet dragging over NDAs. We have had platitudes and reassurance, but still no action despite evidence that the use of NDAs is rife, in far too many sectors, and they are being used to protect perpetrators and silence victims.”

Drowned in Sound founder and manager of Charlotte Church, Sean Adams, called the decision a “disgrace”.

Safe Gigs For Women added, “We are saddened to read that this government has rejected the Misogyny in Music report published in January by the Women and Equalities Committee. Sexual violence changes lives - inaction is inexcusable.”