FEATURE:
Not My Mate
PHOTO CREDIT: Liza Summer/Pexels
Doing More to Ensure Women in the Music Industry Are Safe and Respected
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I have covered this before….
but, as a new campaign by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has caused a bit of anger and mockery, it has got me thinking about music and the way women are received. I have included the photo that appears on billboards. It is essentially a message to men who are advised, if they see a friend of theirs harassing a woman or stepping out of line, to simply say the word ‘mate’ - albeit in an elongated manner. What instantly sprung to mind was a routine that Stewart Lee did for his standout tour, Content Provider. If you listen from 2:18, that is sort of what I picture when I see that billboard. I can sort of see what was being envisaged. A man is out and is stepping out of line. He is coming on too strong. The friend steps in and, rather than confront their mate, they say the word and it is a moment where things can calm down and conversation can begin. I don’t think that something as basic and rather laddish as that word can defuse a situation where there needs to be something deeper and more substantial said. I saw a tweet from someone I follow on Twitter, and they sort of had that same reaction. If you are dealing with a man who is being gross, offensive or sexually harassing a woman, then they are hardly going to change their behaviour with one word!
PHOTO CREDIT: Anete Lusina/Pexels
There are no links to websites on the billboard. No giant QR code or anything that would take you to resources. You need to have men who do thing is it fine to harass women to have information at their fingertips so they can alter their ways. In music, there are organisations that help to educate people about how to behave around women. Proper conduct. I have seen tweets from Consent Coalition and the good work they do. Safe Gigs provide education and information. They set up stalls at gigs so that people can approach them and they can give them invaluable information and resources. Rather than being security, they are there to ensure there is zero tolerance regarding sexual assault and harassment during gigs. There are other bodies who are out there but, as we do see and read stories of sexual harassment, assault and rape in music, these charities and organisations need support. I was going to say that the Government need to work on a campaign and work alongside these remarkable organisations. Given that there is such a simplistic and ineffectual billboard in London designed to help prevent sexual assault and harassment, it does seem like a lost cause! I think that things will start to change. Even so, today, I read so many cases of women who have suffered sexual assault and abuse.
PHOTO CREDIT: kues1 via Freepik
The statistics are quite shocking. I have sourced this article before but, as I am thinking about the gulf between government messaging and the grassroots work that is happening and the effectiveness of the former and latter, it is worth bringing in some truly alarming realities regarding the number of women who have been abused or harassed:
“TuneCore and Believe have published their latest ‘Be The Change’ study of gender equality in the music industry, timed to come out on International Women’s Day.
It offers the latest stats on some of the challenges facing women and gender expansive people in music, based on a survey of 1,656 industry folk and musicians.
34% of women surveyed said they had been sexually harassed or abused at work in the music industry, and that percentage rose to 42% for trans people and 43% for nonbinary people.
58% of the people surveyed disagreed with the idea that ‘everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed in the music industry’, with pay gaps, mental health, a lack of access to professional training and development, and being passed over for promotions among the challenges explored.
“We need more change. We, as individuals and as an industry must heed the calls to action and do just that – take action,” said TuneCore CEO Andreea Gleeson”.
I do feel that there are a lot of vital groups out there who are helping make women feel safer throughout the music industry. Whether providing literature for men so that they can be better educated, through to numbers for charities and support lines that can talk with women affected by abuse and harassment, we need to make sure they are funded and highlighted. The fact there is still a massive problem shows that there does need to be more action and funding. I was shocked by the campaign launched by the Mayor of London. The fact this was deemed substantial and useful! As it has received criticism and mockery shows that it is misjudged and a bit insulting. I am sure that many men use the ‘mate’ word already. That is a way they can get their attention and maybe take them away from a woman/women they are harassing. Beyond that, what happens?! That word will not ring in their ear the next time they think of going too far. Men will not seek help or information if a mate of theirs tries to calm the situation. I know you can only fit so much on a billboard and you need to keep it short enough so that people see it and can absorb the message. One word is not good enough! The music industry has always been blighted by men who harass and abuse women. There have been campaigns and adverts run in the past, but statistics coming out show that we need a new documentary or video that outlines what can be done. How women can find support; how men can educate themselves and do better. You only need to look at articles from last year such as this and this to know that harassment is still rife. The Musicians’ Union aim to stamp out sexual harassment in music. Last year, they produced their findings regarding the degree and prolificacy of sexual harassment and discrimination throughout music. Things have moved on since then but, as sexual harassment and abuse is still rife, it is clear that the Government really…
NEED to do more.