Jaguar Jonze invited to industry’s #MeToo meeting, promises to ‘represent those at the bottom’
Image: Jaguar Jonze in last year’s Reebok brand campaign
Content Warning: This article covers sexual assault & harassment and may be triggering for some readers. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Jaguar Jonze, a musician and fierce advocate for change and accountability in Australia’s music industry, has been invited to the industry’s upcoming #MeToo meeting.
Jonze (Deena Lynch) spoke to The Industry Observer this month revealing multiple experiences of sexual assault at the hands of music producers. She then also appeared on Channel 10’s The Project telling her story.
Soon after the explosive report, it was revealed industry bodies ARIA, APRA AMCOS and PPCA would hold a meeting to discuss cultural change within the industry.
Since then, a number of people spoke out criticising the meeting, noting that those who put their names and careers on the line by making allegations against the powers that be are yet to be included in the discussion. Others felt that only having high-powered industry organisations involved, rather than the individuals affected and those pushing for change, could be a performative action which only acts as a further protection racket for perpetrators.
Now, however, Jonze has been invited to attend the meeting.
“To me, I feel like my position at current in this meeting is to represent those at the bottom, the voices of the victims that haven’t been heard and where the power is limited,” she said in a statement.
She still has reservations, however, that the movement could stall, and the moment could pass us by.
“I’m scared that we will time and time again reach a point of momentum to then only have it fall away and pushed aside as the industry feels overwhelmed as it tries to implement next steps,” she said noting she’s done a lot of work in a bid to attend the meeting with steps, suggestions and solutions.
Jonze also noted how the confusion and lack of transparency around the meeting had caused further trauma and upset.
“My opinion it that the PR and communication of this meeting comes with flaws,” she said. “The truth is all solutions always do, but the breakdown and lack of transparency has resulted in victims feeling dismissed and silenced again.”
She shared her proposed steps for change on Instagram and reminded people “we can only tackle this problem together”.
ARIA, APRA AMCOS and PPCA have also released the agenda for Monday’s meeting.
View this post on Instagram
Do you have a story you’d like to share or a question you’d like to ask? You can confidentially email Vivienne Kelly (vivienne@take2media.com.au) with the subject line ‘#MeToo’ to start the discussion.
If you need assistance after reading this article, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Jobs
