‘Safe Spaces Now’ music industry initiative launched with UN Women UK
standing AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT and abuse
We’ve united with gender equality champions UN Women UK to develop an industry-leading Safe Spaces Now initiative – to improve safety for women, girls, and marginalised genders in music, at festivals and events
Our joint Open Letter – condemning the shocking levels of sexual harassment in our industry – calls for collective change, and has so far been signed by Anne-Marie, Mabel, Rudimental, Glastonbury and many more
This year, S&C is proud to be the pilot event and first company to sign the Safe Spaces Now pledge – committing to making our festival safer and more inclusive for women, girls and marginalised genders
7 in 10 UK women have been sexually harassed
Ahead of festival season and events returning, Strawberries & Creem and UN Women UK have joined forces to demand the music and live sectors to rise to the call of #MeToo movement – by committing to tackle harassment and make spaces safe for women, girls and marginalised genders.
Along with artists, festivals and industry leaders, the two organisations have co-signed and released an open letter to the industry – acknowledging the pervasive extent of the problem and the need for change. It invites music industry leaders, artists, companies, venues, performers and promoters to come together and commit to meaningful action.
More than 7 in 10 women have been sexually harassed in the UK, and over 40% of women aged under 40 at a live music event. Within the music sector, over 60% of workers have experienced sexual harassment.
The vast majority of incidents go unreported, with over 95% of women not reporting sexual harassment. Almost half of UK musicians have faced sexual harassment at work, with workplace culture being cited as the greatest barrier to reporting.
This must change, and we have a collective responsibility to take action. This restart needs to be for all of us. Our spaces must provide safety from harassment, violence, and abuse of power. Music should be a place of joy and inclusion for all.
OPEN LETTER SIGNED BY LEADING FIGURES IN MUSIC
The Open Letter calling for change has already been signed by leading industry figures – such as Glastonbury (Emily Eavis), The Eden Project, DICE, Clara Amfo, Mabel, Anne-Marie, MNEK & Rudimental.
We encourage more music and events industry businesses to join us in recognising their collective responsibility to make their spaces safer – and commit to tackling violence and harassment with meaningful action.
By bringing together women, girls and marginalised genders across the UK, UN Women UK have created 150+ solutions for safe spaces in music events, nightlife and festivals. These include: redesigning spaces; addressing behaviour within them; inclusion within staff teams; and training to recognise potential abuse and respond appropriately.
Let’s make 2021 the year the music and events industries rise up to the call of the #MeToo movement – and commit to change together.
PLEDGE CALLS FOR COMMITMENTS TO SAFE SPACES
Strawberries & Creem is leading the way by becoming the first pilot event to sign the Safe Spaces Now pledge – committing to developing and delivering a safety-focussed strategy, in close collaboration with UN Women UK, at its festival held in Cambridge on 18-19th September 2021.
Organisations that wish to support the Safe Spaces Now campaign – and commit to creating change in their spaces – can sign this pledge to show their support at: www.unwomenuk.org/safespacesinmusic-orgpledge
As our spaces reopen this summer, we will not wait around while another woman experiences sexual harassment, violence or abuse – as an artist, as a professional, or as a fan. Let’s act now to make our music industry and live events safe.
