‘We Are Sorry’: Read the Music Industry’s ‘Joint Statement of Acknowledgment’

Sorry seems to be the hardest word for so many. In 2022, it’s very much part of the music industry’s vernacular.

Today (Sept. 1) saw the release of Raising Their Voices, the long-awaited review into sexual harm, harassment, and systemic discrimination across the contemporary music industry.

And with its release, an extraordinary line-up of businesses, brands and organisations issue a formal apology for years of reckless and damaging behaviour in the workplace.

Months in the making, Raising Their Voices is a confronting document, in which more than 1,600 voices contribute to a big picture of appalling actions across the business.

Change is coming. The review calls for it, with a 17-point set of recommendations.

One of those calls is a “Statement of Acknowledgment” from industry leaders, including artists, who should deliver a united message that acknowledges the harm “caused by sexual harm, sexual harassment, bullying and systemic discrimination in the contemporary music industry.

Recommendation 9 also addresses the need for a commitment to cultural reform across the industry, including accountability; and a commitment to implement the recommendations contained in this report.

That “Statement of Acknowledgment” has been distributed, and features scores of signatories from across the industry, including APRA AMCOS, ARIA, Mushroom Group, TEG and the three major music companies.

Read the message in full below:

Music Industry Joint Statement of Acknowledgement
1 September 2022

BACKGROUND

Today the Music Industry Review into Sexual Harm, Sexual Harassment and Systemic Discrimination report, Raising 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.

STATEMENT

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 urge 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 workplaces are safe, inclusive, and respectful. Our work has already started, and it will not stop until we have a culture that is safe for all.

SIGNATORIES

[PIAS] Australia and Inertia Music
Alberts
AMPAL
APRA AMCOS
ARIA
Artists Only
Association of Artist Managers
Australia Council for the Arts
Australian Festivals Association
Australian Independent Record Labels Association
Australian Live Music Business Council
Australian Music Centre
Australian Music Industry Network
Catherine Haridy Management
Central Station Records
Chugg Music
Chugg Entertainment
CMC Rocks
Country Music Association of Australia
Electronic Music Conference
Eleven: A Music Company
Frontier Touring
Future Classic Recordings
GYROstream
John Watson Management
Live Performance Australia
Live Nation
Media Arts Lawyers
Morph Consulting Services
Multicultural Arts Victoria
Mushroom Group
Music ACT
MusicNSW
Music NT
Music SA
Music Victoria
Native Tongue Music Publishing & Concord Australia
Nettwerk Music Group
Ourness
PBS 106.7FM
Peninsula Hot Springs
PPCA
QMusic
Red Rebel Music
Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation
Sony Music Entertainment Australia
Sony Music Publishing Australia
Support Act
Sweat It Out
TEG
The Annex
Thinking Loud
TMRW Music Group
UNIFIED Music Group
Universal Music Australia
WAM
Warner Chappell Music Australia
Warner Music Australia

To show your support and join this list click here.