‘We need to understand what is really going on behind closed doors’: BLiM launches bullying and harassment survey

Black Lives in Music (BLiM) has today launched a new survey on bullying and harassment in the music industry. The YourSafetyYourSay survey aims to discover the ‘true scale’ of the issue, after BliM experienced an influx of ‘calls for help’ from members of the sector since publishing its Being Black in the Music Industry report in 2021.

Data from the anonymous survey will inform the work of the new Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as well as contributing to BLiM’s forthcoming Anti Racist Code of Conduct and reporting tool.

The survey is supported by The Ivors Academy. Recently appointed CEO Roberto Neri said: ‘There is no place for bullying, harassment and discrimination in music. No one in the industry should be abusing their positions and no victims should be silenced through NDAs or fearful of the implications of speaking out. It is time that freelancers are not left vulnerable and isolated. Black Lives in Music’s research is a powerful way to give voice and drive the change that we need. I encourage everyone in music to complete the survey and take us one step closer to a fair and just industry.’

Parliament’s recent Misogyny in Music Inquiry, at which BLiM gave evidence, found the UK music industry to be a ‘boys’ club’ where sexual harassment and abuse is common, and the non-reporting of incidents is high. BLiM chief executive Charisse Beaumont said testimony the organisation has received supports these findings: ‘We are flooded with stories from people who have experienced bullying and (sexual) harassment in the music industry. They are shocking and it’s clear that high profile cases in the media are the tip of an iceberg. It can happen to anyone, and it is often rooted in misogyny, racism, homophobia, transphobia and more.’

Beaumont added: ‘Bullying and harassment is normalised in the music industry, as shown by the Misogyny in Music Inquiry. To turn the Inquiry findings into action, we need the information. The data, especially from underrepresented groups, just doesn’t exist. The Bullying and Harassment survey will be a comprehensive survey to capture everyone’s voices, especially those rarely heard. We need to understand what is really going on behind closed doors so we can tailor interventions.’        

The survey, which will be led by researcher and data analyst Sania Haq in partnership with Opinium Research, is aimed at all people in all groups, but in particular more data is needed around race/ethnicity, disability, sexuality and gender protected groups.