Music Industry Joint Statement of Acknowledgement

Today the Music Industry Review into Sexual Harm, Sexual Harassment and Systemic Discrimination report, Raise Their Voices, was released.

The report provides a blueprint on how we can take action to make the music industry safer, more inclusive, more respectful, and ultimately stronger. The report is based on robust evidence, drawing on a survey of almost 1,300 and the stories of over 300 music industry people who spoke to or wrote directly to the Review team.

As leaders in the Australian contemporary music industry, we accept the distressing findings of the Review. We acknowledge the harm documented by the Review, and we are sorry.

This Review has been a vital process of listening and truth telling. We thank all the participants for their courage in speaking out, in bravely re-living their experiences and engaging in this critical report. We acknowledge the impact of these behaviours on the lives of victim-survivors from our industry.

Everyone has the right to work in an environment free from bullying, sexual harassment, sexual assault and discrimination. As disturbing and confronting as the findings are, the Australian music industry is committed to change and to rebuilding trust. The music industry should – and will – foster safe, welcoming, respectful, creative, and fun environments.

We have been listening and have heard your calls for change. We can and will continue to do better. We all can.

As leaders and members of the music community, we all have a responsibility to model courageous leadership and do our best to bring an end to poor and destructive behaviour. We implore all in the music industry to continue working with us to implement long-term, sustainable change for the better. We all have a personal and professional responsibility to make our culture the best it can be.

We are committed to working through the recommendations of the report, doing the necessary work and being accountable, to ensure our industry is a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace. Our work has already started, and it will not stop until we have a culture that is safe for all.