FEATURE:
No Shame
IN THIS PHOTO: Lily Allen in 2018/PHOTO CREDIT: Katie McCurdy for GQ
Is the Music Industry Doing Enough to Protect Female Artists from Sexual Assault?
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THIS is, sadly, something we have to ask a lot…
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
as there seems to be no end to sexual assault claims in the music industry. Some might say it is impossible to stop all forms of sexual inappropriateness but, given the severity of some of the cases, it seems like it is too easy for men in power to get away with some truly horrific abuses. Not only are women in music subjected to abuse and assault from men in power: fans and fellow musicians are also culpable. I have been moved by the news that Lily Allen was subject to an attack back in 2016 – I should say ‘alleged’ but there is no reason for her to lie or embellish. Here, in this BBC article, we learn more about the story:
“Lily Allen says her record label has not taken any action after she told them she was sexually assaulted by an industry figure.
Allen told The Next Episode podcast she spoke to a Warner Music boss last year about the alleged attack in 2016.
A label spokesman said: "We take accusations of sexual misconduct extremely seriously and investigate claims that are raised with us."
The BBC understands the alleged attacker continues to work with Warner.
While the singer says she never reported the alleged attacker to the police, she believes "most of the music industry knows who it is".
Allen says the sexual assault took place on a work trip to the Caribbean in 2016.
She told The Next Episode she had been at a party with a record industry executive before heading back to their hotel.
"We got to my hotel. I couldn't find my room keys. So he was like, 'Well, why don't you sleep in my bed while I go and get the keys or whatever.' So I passed out in his bed.
"I woke up and he was in my bed naked slapping my bum."
She said she could feel him trying to have sex with her.
"I made a decision, I didn't want to go to the police. I didn't want to make a fuss and I wanted to keep it quiet.
"I remember thinking about his mum and how she would deal with the news that her son was a sexual predator and I was prioritising everybody else in this situation except for myself".
“Allen has been signed to Warner since 2013, although she's currently working on her last album for the label.
She said she wanted to speak out about her alleged attack in order to protect other artists in the industry.
"I would feel awful if I found out that somebody much younger and more vulnerable had had a similar experience that could have been prevented," she said.
She believes her alleged abuser may be around other young female artists and said: "It's my responsibility just to let some people know that this incident happened."
Warner Music said it found Allen's allegations from 2016 "appalling" and said: "We're very focused on enforcing our Code of Conduct and providing a safe and professional environment at all times."
You can hear the full interview on the BBC Sounds podcast The Next Episode”.
It is horrible to think what she had to endure but, as I said, her situation is not unique. The fact we have big artists like Lily Allen speaking out will give others the courage to come out. There are articles that lay out music fans’ experience of sexual assault and how so many young women have been affected. There is advice for any musicians affected, but it seems that, from the fans to huge artists, we have a problem that is not going away. I know most managers and label bosses are decent and this debate only applies to a certain few. One cannot monitor and police every female artist but it seems, in Allen’s case, she was sort of brushed off; this feeling she would not be believed and, even as she has revealed her side, there are some on social media who have been dismissive and cruel. Obviously, the assault damaged her career and affected her profoundly. Anyone who has been through such an ordeal will be able to emphasise with Allen and (explain) how harrowing it is. I hope Allen is okay now but, one wonders, did that incident derail her career to the point of no return?
Allen did release an album, No Shame, that was critically acclaimed and received a Mercury Prize nomination. She is still on the scene but one wonders whether Allen can trust labels and industry bosses. Given the fact that we have seen multiple cases of sexual assault/abuse through the years, does more need to be done right now? Festivals who have reported sexual assault claims are changing, but it seems more difficult to transform the entire music industry from the roots up. It seems that there is a general problem regarding attitudes towards women. Social media is invaluable when it comes to raising awareness and shaming those who perpetrate sexual assault but I think labels need to start getting more involved when artists report attacks. There seems to be this rather ho-hum attitude in some corners; a dismissive and apathetic blind eye that is causing massive damage. When it comes to festivals, they are taking measures – reducing the sale of alcohol and making them safer spaces for women – but we need a culture shift where offenders are called out and artists are given appropriate support. Allen must have felt scarred and isolated when she approached her label and received very little in the way of support. Some might say calling the police is the logical first step but, as we have seen from the news, whilst cases of rape and sexual assault are up, the number of people being charged is down. Why would an artist like Allen go to the police if there is a chance the case will be dismissed or marked as low priority?!
PHOTO CREDIT: @kj2018/Unsplash
We do need to start from the ground up and ensure cases of sexual assault are highlighted. I know there are laws against naming those who are alleged attackers in these cases but I wonder if calling out those who commit such acts would send a message out and deter others. Labels like Allen’s need to be more proactive and step up. It seems like there is almost an expectation things like this happen and we cannot avoid sexual assault; that women are exaggerating and it is no big deal. What sort of message is this sending to the next generation of female artists and music personnel?! We know there is sexism that is preventing so many women from being given a larger platform; throw into the mix we have to read worrying reports of artists being assaulted and it is clear immediate action needs to happen. Lessons are not being learned and the industry needs to accept the fact it is not doing enough. There are steps being made. At the end of 2017, the Stop18 campaign was launched - The Stop2018 campaign was launched to coincide with an edition of the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire Show, in which a number of women working in music both on and off stage – including Chloe Howl, Yasmin Lajoie and Michelle de Vries – discussed their own experiences of sexual harassment and abuse in the music industry – and set out some clear objectives – as we can see from this article:
“…First, that the industry’s trade organisations – possibly via UK Music – set up a safe place “where anyone working in the industry can speak in confidence knowing that they will not be the ones who have to suffer repercussions”.
Secondly, that “all music companies rethink their strategies, and stop working with individuals and other companies who exhibit any predatory or bullying behaviour, whether it be an employee, an artist, a producer, or a manager, a lawyer, a publicist or an agent or anyone associated with the business, however powerful and successful they may be”.
Thirdly, noting that pay inequality helps contribute to a sexist culture within companies, the campaign says it is “calling for women to be paid the same as men and to receive the same benefits in the work place. We want to see an end to the common practice that when men and women are hired at the same time, the man is often given more assistance and offered better opportunities to advance their careers – we want to see women offered the same promotion opportunities as men”.
And finally: “We are calling for an end to managers and labels telling artists they need to wear provocative clothing or to flirt with executives to be successful”.
Concluding, the founders of the Stop2018 campaign write: “Above all our hope is that 2018 is the year that bullying, misogyny, sexual harassment, assault and rape in the music industry stops. We want the business we all love so much to become a safe place for everyone to work”.
The past couple of years has seen a reduction of sexual assault and harassment in some areas but I still think women are being let down; not given enough respect, support and power when they are subjected to abuse.
PHOTO CREDIT: @drew_beamer/Unsplash
More discussion needs to happen but, above all, those in power need to start talking with their artists and hearing them out when they come forward. It is positive seeing changes and measures brought in at festivals and venues but there is still an attitude persisting that assumes women are exaggerating or they need to flirt a bit to get ahead – maybe a feeling that industry men and those who carry out attacks are beyond reproach and justice. Let’s hope 2020 is a year where, across the board, women are given more rights, oxygen and support. Festivals are trying to be more gender-equal and reduce sexual assaults; venues are improving security and surveillance and social media means that those who do carry out attacks are not safe and have nowhere to hide. Clearly, we still have a way to go - and it is a real shame artists like Lily Allen have their careers damaged because they do not feel trusted and heard when they come to their labels. I guess things will get better over time but, in the here and now, there is a real problem. So many women throughout the music industry have had to ensure sexual abuse, assault and inappropriateness and it is always heartaching to hear. With every case that comes to light, it is evident that…
PHOTO CREDIT: @drew_beamer/Unsplash
A lot more needs to be done to make women feel safe.