‘Tidal wave’ of sex abuse in UK music industry

The music industry is still a “boys’ club” where sexual harassment and abuse are common, MPs warned in a report.

The Women and Equalities Committee said musicians have to sit beside sexual abusers at parties and events, due to a “culture of silence”.

It makes a series of recommendations to tackle the problem of misogyny, but also said that a shift in the behaviour of men is needed.

The government said the industry must ensure “a safe working environment”.

The report by the Women and Equalities Committee follows an inquiry into misogyny in the music industry, which began in June 2022.

The cross-party group of MPs concluded that the issue was “endemic” and called for urgent action to tackle it.

The inquiry heard evidence from people including the former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Macmanus, who said there was a “tidal wave” of revelations about sexual assault in the music industry waiting to be told.

The broadcaster and writer said there was an “unbelievable” number of stories that have not yet emerged, and warned the industry was “rigged against women”.

Singer and former X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson said in her evidence that misogyny in music was just “the tip of the iceberg”.

She said bullying and corruption was allowed to happen, and said she had been told rapes were going unreported.

The committee warned that non-reporting of sexual harassment and abuse was high, and that victims who did speak out struggle to be believed or face losing their career.

They said female artists are routinely undervalued and undermined, endure a focus on their physical appearance in a way that men are not subjected to, and have to work far harder to get the recognition their ability merits.

“Much of the evidence we received has had to remain confidential, including commentary on television shows and household names,” the report said.

“That is highly regrettable but demonstrates the extent of the use of NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] and the culture of silence.”

It said women in the music industry have had “their lives ruined and their careers destroyed by men who have never faced the consequences for their actions”.

More broadly, the MPs also said women face a lack of support and persistent unequal pay, and warned these issues are worse for women who already face racial discrimination.

Source: BBC