MUSIC INDUSTRY REVIEW
A national review of sexual harm, sexual harassment and systemic discrimination in the contemporary Australian music industry and recommendations for reform.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
The Independent Review into Sexual Harm, Sexual Harassment and Systemic Discrimination in the National Music Industry has recently commenced.As part of this work the independent review team has begun a national consultation process to listen to your stories, experiences, observations and suggestions for change in an industry that the whole world benefits from.By contributing to the review, your voice, which may have been silenced in the past, will be elevated. Your voice will help shape the findings and recommendations of the review and importantly, influence reform across the music industry. You can have your say safely, confidentially and anonymously.The review is a broad review of the workplace culture of the music industry through the lens of sexual harm, sexual harassment and systemic discrimination. It is not examining individual instances or complaints of these behaviours. The review is seeking the participation of music industry professionals, including song writers and composers, artists and performers, crew, agents, members of the live touring companies and record labels, promoters, employees of record companies, managers, publishers, venue managers and staff and company executives.There are several ways you can participate in the review, and you may select one or more of the following options:
Registering for a focus group - Focus groups are now closed.
Booking a confidential one on one interview - To book an interview click HERE
Sending a confidential written submission - E-mail to musicreview@mapnconsulting.com.au
Participating in the confidential survey – To participate in the survey click HERE
Further details on these options are below.We want to hear all voices. These include those who may have experienced sexual harm, sexual harassment and systemic discrimination, those who may have been bystanders to these behaviours, and those who want to share their observations and insights. We are keen to hear about where change and reforms are needed.
Focus Groups
Focus groups are made up of no more than 15 people and are facilitated by two review team members. The review team members are experienced facilitators, particularly in relation to sensitive issues including sexual harm. They are experienced in ensuring the sessions are safe, respectful, and inclusive and that everyone has the opportunity to share their experiences and/or their observations, views and suggestions for change. A foundation of this safety is that all participants agree that what is said in the room, stays in the room.The focus groups will be undertaken online via Zoom, inclusive of accessibility options. A series of questions are asked to guide the discussions, however the sessions are generally informal and free-flowing in order to maximise the comfort and safety of participants as they share.There will be specific identified focus groups where you may feel more comfortable to contribute (eg. Women only groups, First Nations groups and LGBTIQ+ groups). These focus groups are available on registration and will where possible be co-facilitated by facilitators with similar lived experience and/or expertise.Focus groups generally run between 60 – 90 minutes. They will commence from Thursday 24 February 2022. Focus groups will run during business hours however there are some that are scheduled after hours, including on Saturdays. Notes are taken by the review team facilitators which are saved in a password protected file that only the review team members have access to. All information is anonymised and/or de-identified.
From this page, you can choose a focus group you feel most comfortable participating in. When you click on the type of focus group you wish to participate in, you will be able to choose a date and time that suits you. When you register for a focus group, you will be asked to provide your name and contact information. This will be kept strictly confidential.When registering for a focus group you will be sent a consent form which, once signed and returned allows the review team to use de-identified and anonymised quotes in their report of their findings from the review.Focus groups are now closed.
To book a confidential interview please contact grace@mapnconsulting.com.au
Confidential Interviews
Confidential Interviews are one on one sessions between an individual and a review team member. They run for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Interviews will commence from 28 February 2022. They are conducted via zoom or by telephone – whatever is most comfortable for participants. Confidential interviews are generally chosen by individuals who prefer a private setting to share their experiences. The review team members conducting the interviews are experienced in creating a safe and supportive space for individuals to share experiences and observations. They also ensure that the interviewee is connected to supports outside of the interview environment.With the consent of the individual being interviewed, notes are taken and are stored in password protected files that can only be accessed by the review team. All information is anonymised and/or de-identified.Interviews typically last for an hour and will commence in the week of 28th February 2022.
Please e-mail grace@mapnconsulting.com.au to organise an interview.
You will be able to choose an interview time that best suits you. When you register, you will be asked to provide your name and contact information. This will be kept strictly confidential. You will be able to choose for your interview to be conducted on the phone or via a Zoom video call. You will also be able to make any requests to ensure you feel safe and comfortable giving an interview.When registering for a focus group you will be sent a consent form which, once signed and returned allows the review team to use de-identified and anonymised quotes in their report of their findings from the review.If you need any further assistance or queries with booking into an interview, or about the interview process, please contact the review team at musicreview@mapnconsulting.com.au
Written Submissions
You may feel more comfortable sharing your experiences, observations and/or insights into the music industry in writing.Written submissions can be emailed confidentially to: musicreview@mapnconsulting.com.au
Written submissions will be held in a password protected file that can only be accessed by the review team.Whilst you are free to prepare your submission in any format, below are some questions that you may wish to use as a guide:
Please tell us about yourself and your experience in the Australian music industry.
What parts of the music industry have you worked in?
Based on your experiences of working in the Australian music industry, what do you think contributes to sexual harm, sexual assault and/or systemic discrimination in your work environment?
Based on your experiences, what are the factors that contribute or could contribute to ensuring the Australian music industry is safe, inclusive and respectful for all who work in it?
From your perspective are there any changes that could be made to the Australian music industry to ensure it’s a safe, inclusive and respectful environment?
Are there any other comments you would like to share?
Individual and organisational written submissions are open. Once you have sent your submission you will be asked to sign and return a consent form that allows the review team to use anonymised and de-identified quotes from your submission in their report of the review. Any information used by the review team will not include your name, the name of any other person you refer to or any other information that may enable yours or another’s identification.Please contact the review team if you would like any further information about providing a submission at musicreview@mapnconsulting.com.au
Confidential Survey
The survey opens on Monday 30th May, and participants will have 3 weeks to complete it. The survey will take (approximately) between 10-20 minutes to complete, and is done online.The survey gives all music professionals across Australia an opportunity to have their say on these issues – whether you have experienced these behaviours, witnessed them or you just want to make a difference. The survey is a vital part of the Review as it will provide the hard data on the prevalence of sexual harm, sexual harassment and systemic discrimination.Inclusivity and representation are crucial to ensuring the Review clearly and accurately identifies and addresses the issues faced by all who work in the industry. By completing the survey, participants’ voices will help to inform the outcomes of the Review and its recommendations to create safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces.The survey is confidential and can be completed anonymously. The privacy of all participants is paramount and all information collected will not be identifiable. Meaningful change takes time and this survey is an important and positive action for the Australian music industry.
Support
The issues that the review is examining may cause distress and can be unsettling. Support Act will offer a dedicated Sexual Health & Safety Helpline for artists, crew and music workers which is a free, confidential phone counselling service available to anyone who works in national music industry. It will have trained Sexual Health & Safety experts for callers to speak with. The service began operation from January 31st, 2022 and will be accessible 24 hours a day by calling 1800 959 500 within Australia.Remember: if you or someone you care about is in crisis or at immediate risk, dial 000.You can also find support at a number of free helplines:
Support Act Helpline | 1800 959 500 (Sexual Health and Safety Support Line – Option 5 on the Helpline) |
1800RESPECT | 1800 737 732 |
Lifeline Hotline | 13 11 14 or text their helpline on 0477 13 11 14 |
SANE | 1800 187 263 |
Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467 |
Beyond Blue- (First Nations specific supports available) | 1300 224 636 |
Q Life - LGBTIQ+ support | 1800 184 527 |
Final Comments
You are able to utilise any or all of the options above to participate in the review – register for a focus group, an interview or make a written submission.Everyone creating and working in the music industry has the opportunity to contribute to the review. In doing so, you will help to transform the culture going forward. By sharing your voice and providing solutions for reform, you will be part of a critical change process that aims to make the industry safer, more respectful and inclusive for all.
To discuss making a financial contribution to the project please contact:
info@musicindustryreview.com.au
Mailing List
For further updates from the Music Industry Review, sign up to this mailing list.
Downloads
Download Music Industry Review Social Tiles for Sharing
To help spread awareness and information across your networks please download and share HERE.Music Industry Review (Full Overview)
For more information on the Music Industry Review read HERE.About the Consultants
For more information on the Consultants conducting the Review read HERE.Press Releases
For all of our other Music Industry Review press releases read HERE.To download a document find it below.
Contact
For all media and funding enquiries please contact:
info@musicindustryreview.com.au
Please note that the Working Group may take some time to get back to you.
MUSIC INDUSTRY REVIEW
Dec 2021 - June 2022
A national review of sexual harm, sexual harassment and systemic discrimination in the contemporary Australian music industry and recommendations for reform.
The Review
Consultants Alexandra (Alex) Shehadie and Sam Turner have been engaged to undertake a national Music Industry Review on sexual harm, sexual harassment and systemic discrimination in the contemporary Australian music industry. They will undertake a comprehensive consultation process after which time they will provide a report on their findings and recommendations. The recommendations will be designed to ensure the music industry has a safe, respectful and inclusive culture. The work will span 6 months and involve consultation through focus groups, one-on-one interviews, confidential written submissions and an online survey.
The Objective
The aim of the Music Industry Review is to hear the stories and experiences of a range of music professionals from the contemporary music industry to inform a deep understanding of the current culture in the industry and those areas requiring reform. The final report will identify the key issues and outline a pathway for positive and sustainable change through a series of high impact recommendations and actions for the industry to implement.
Scope
The Review will be an open invitation to those who work in the music industry to share their experiences of working in that industry. It will include participants from the live and recorded industries, labels and publishers, artists and artist managers, agents, festival and event production staff and others who work in the industry.The Review will not investigate any individual incident but will be a broad cultural review. It will be an opportunity for people to share their stories, have their voices heard, and propose ideas on how the industry can be a safer, more inclusive and respectful workplace.The consultation process will also seek to elevate the voices of the most vulnerable or at risk in the industry ensuring that their lived experience will inform any reforms required to strengthen the culture of workplaces across the industry.
Who's Involved
The consultants will lead the Music Industry Review
Specialist facilitators, such as First Nations people, will be engaged to host focus groups with specific groups to ensure cultural safety. Additional facilitators may be engaged to assist with other specific focus groups
An Industry Liaison will be appointed to work alongside the consultants to provide industry and administrative support
The consultants will partner with a research body to develop and administer the online survey and provide analysis of the results
The consultants will engage a First Nations advisor to review the overall report, but with specific attention to elevating Black voices throughout the report and recommendations
Support for people with accessibility requirements will also be provided
Three members of the original Temporary Working Group will continue to support continuity and ensure the review keeps on track. These three will be offered an honorarium for their work
Everyone working within the contemporary music industry is encouraged to participate
What's Involved
The national Music Industry Review will be comprised of:
A national survey
A confidential online written submissions process
Focus groups across a range of areas and demographics
Confidential one-on-one interviews
The focus groups will be conducted having regard to the roles people have in the industry, their stage of career, cultural background, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation. Specific sessions will also be conducted with artists and industry executives. In focus groups with First Nations people, a First Nations facilitator will be engaged to ensure inclusion and cultural safety.
Timeline
The Review will launch in December 2021, but at the recommendation of expert advice, the interviews and focus groups will commence in February 2022.This will allow time for the survey to be developed, whilst also allowing time for an industry still reeling from COVID-19 impacts to recover and prepare. This timeline is approximate only.
Month | Activity |
---|---|
Dec 2021 | Public Announce |
- | Fundraising commences |
- | Industry Liaison advertised |
Feb - May 2022 | Industry Liaison engaged |
- | Confidential submissions open |
- | One-on-one confidential interviews commence |
- | Focus Groups commence |
- | National survey delivered |
June - July 2022 | Report drafting |
- | Survey analysis complete |
August 2022 | Report and Recommendations delivered |
Budget & Governance
Support Act will auspice the Music Industry Review. Support Act are responsible for:
Contract with the consultants
MOU with representatives from the original working group (project oversight)
Contract with the Industry Liaison
Manage payment of invoices and receipt of funds
Financial updates
This project requires an arms-length and decentralised funding approach to ensure the independence of the consultation. Accordingly, it is the whole of our industry that needs to lean-in and support project delivery through direct funding and/or in-kind. We will look to sourcing funding from across our industry, philanthropy and government sources.The key expenditure of this project includes:
Consultant fees
National survey
Ethics approval (if required)
Accessibility
Additional supporting facilitators
Industry Liaison salary
Working Group honorarium
Legal
We are currently seeking funding for the Review, with a total target of AUD $400,000.We’re asking industry businesses, organisations and individuals to make a financial contribution to this work that aligns with their business turnover. The below is a guide for contribution:
Tier 1 | $25k+ |
Tier 2 | $15k |
Tier 3 | $5k |
Tier 4 | $1k - $3k |
To discuss making a financial contribution to the project please contact:
info@musicindustryreview.com.au
FAQ
Head to our FAQ page to read through some commonly asked questions on the Music Industry Review.
Mailing List
For further updates from the Music Industry Review, sign up to this mailing list.
Downloads
Music Industry Review (Full Overview)
For more information on the Music Industry Review read HERE.About the Consultants
For more information on the Consultants conducting the Review read HERE.Press Releases
For all of our other Music Industry Review press releases read HERE.To download a document find it below.
Contact
For all media and funding enquiries please contact:
info@musicindustryreview.com.au
Please note that the Working Group may take some time to get back to you.
List of Funders
Funding of the Music Industry Review provided by:
(in alphabetical order)Alberts
AMPAL
APRA AMCOS
ARIA
Artists Only
Australia Council
Australian Festival Association
Australia Live Music Business Council
Catherine Haridy Management
CMC Rocks
Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA)
Electronic Music Conference (EMC)
Eleven
Frontier Touring / Chugg Entertainment
Future Classic Recordings
GYROstream
Inertia Music / [PIAS] Australia
Leanne de Souza
Lemon Tree Music
Live Nation
Live Performance Australia
Media Arts Lawyers
Morph Consulting
Mushroom Group
MusicACT
MusicNSW
MusicNT
MusicSA
Music Tasmania
Music Victoria
Nettwerk Music Group
One Louder
OURNESS
PPCA
QMusic
Secret Sounds
Select Music
Sony Music Entertainment Australia
Spotify Australia
Support Act
Sweat It Out
TEG
Thinking Loud
Tik Tok Australia
TMRW Music Group
The Annex
UNIFIED Music Group
Universal Music Australia
WAM
Warner Chappell Music Australia
Warner Music AustraliaThis page is updated regularly. To discuss making a financial contribution to the Music Industry Review please contact info@musicindustryreview.com.au
News & Events
Upcoming Events
ANNOUNCEMENT: Monday, 14th February 2022
Music Industry Review: CommencementThe Music Industry Review has commenced its consultation phase. To participate, choose one of the options below.
Registering for a focus group - Focus groups are now closed
Booking a confidential one on one interview - To book an interview click HERE
Sending a confidential written submission - E-mail to musicreview@mapnconsulting.com.au
Participating in the confidential survey – To participate in the survey click HERE
RECAP: Monday, 13th December 2021
Music Industry Review: National Industry BriefingThe Temporary Working Group invites you to listen to the industry briefing that happened on Monday 13th, December 2021 to over 500 attendees on Zoom regarding the appointment of expert consultants to deliver a national Music Industry Review on sexual harm, sexual harassment, and systemic discrimination in the contemporary Australian music industry.Anyone working within the contemporary music industry is invited to listen to this briefing to meet, and hear from, the consultants, and be updated with details regarding the rollout of the national review including timeline, methodology, approach, the report process, and all the ways you can get involved.
Latest News
Thursday, 9th December 2021
MUSIC INDUSTRY REVIEW: MEDIA RELEASELEADING EXPERTS IN CULTURAL CHANGE ANNOUNCED TO CONDUCT NATIONAL MUSIC INDUSTRY REVIEW ON SEXUAL HARM, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND SYSTEMIC DISCRIMINATION IN THE CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY.Read the full press release HERE.Press Releases
For all of our other Music Industry Review press releases read HERE.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions can be found HERE.If you don't see an answer to a question you have, please first try to find it in the downloads section HERE.If you still have a question please contact:
info@musicindustryreview.com.au
Please note that the Working Group may take some time to get back to you.