A group of people from the Australian music industry formed a volunteer committee to begin the discussions around how to drive cultural change within the local music scene, with a focus on sexual harm, harassment, and systemic discrimination. Following her huge interview on The Project where she discussed her own sexual assault within the music community, Jaguar Jonze was invited to be part of the initial gathering of industry figures, and detailed the wider consultation process on her Instagram this week.
The meeting, which was facilitated by an independent consultant, also included other musicians, figures from record labels, the Australian Festivals Association, Music NSW, journalists, and artist management groups. From this first session, the group released a list of immediate steps that need to be taken to kick off the music industry’s charge against its systemic issues.
At the initial meeting, the group decided that over the next six weeks they need to engage in independent experts and facilitators, establish a national consultation strategy, and share the recommendations and rollout process. These first steps and actions are set to “inform any further actions and underpin any further governance” within the music industry.
In the post, Jonze also recognised that an industry-wide commitment to working on the systemic issues around abuse of power, discrimination, and sexual abuse needs to happen to ensure this cultural change is successful.
Before the first meeting happened, Jonze also posted about the stages that are vital in the act of progess and proaction, beginning with consciousness and awareness, and ending with accountability and responsibility. She recognised that this first gathering of music industry figures is going to come with flaws, but stressed the act of transparency of the process is vital to making sure people are feeling included and listened to.
“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 wrote.
“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 the next steps.”
Following the meeting on Monday, Jonze shared her thoughts about the process, and how she’s determined to make sure the change sticks this time, instead of just being another passing moment of awareness.
“I’d like to reiterate that all solutions and steps forward contain flaws,” she wrote.
“The important thing to hold onto is to be proactive together in ensuing action and change, This has been a difficult process for me personally and I’ve really put everything on the line to try my absolute best in not letting this be a moment of awareness.
“We NEED commitments at every level and aspect of the industry and I need the strength and courage of survivors to take one small step forward and to continue the hard work of so many before us.
“I really believe we can implement changes industry-wide to protect our vulnerable and create a safer/healthier workplace for everyone.”
The temporary working group has issued a statement about this initial meeting of figures within the Australian music industry, and will be publishing further updates about the group’s actions and further meetings, which you can sign up for over here.
Help is available.
If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
If you’d like to speak to someone about sexual violence, please call the 1800 RESPECT hotline on 1800 737 732 or chat online.
Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
