Ladies expertise harassment and rape in Scottish folks scene, says report

Female musicians have skilled harassment and sexual violence – together with rape – whereas working within the Scottish folks music scene, based on analysis by the University of Glasgow.

The survey of 409 girls – most of them musicians, academics or college students – discovered 81% had suffered some type of abuse.

Researchers stated incidents had included sexual feedback, stalking and assaults, with the vast majority of the perpetrators being fellow musicians.

Lewis-born musician Josie Duncan stated she liked being a part of the normal music scene, however added that she had turned down alternatives prior to now as a result of the individual she would have labored with was “unsafe”.

Researchers based mostly at Glasgow’s Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research carried out the examine.

It stated 75% of these surveyed had skilled sexual questions or remarks, and 51% had been the goal of unsolicited sexual advances.

The analysis stated 17% reported having been sexually assaulted or raped.

Glasgow University stated the people scene was male-dominated and a few of the incidents had allegedly concerned distinguished musicians.

Josie Duncan has been a musician since a younger age and has been working in Glasgow for 10 years.

“I love being part of the traditional music scene. You can walk into any session and see your pals,” she informed BBC Naidheachdan.

However, she stated the report’s findings had not come as a shock to her.

Duncan stated: “I’ve had times where I’ve had to turn down work, sometimes really pivotal opportunities.

“I’ve needed to flip them down as a result of I used to be selecting to not work with somebody I knew to be unsafe.”

Duncan said she was lucky to always be safe among those she worked with regularly, adding: “But that must be regular not the exception.”

She said she was hopeful for the traditional music scene and welcomed the report.

Dr Kelly Johnson, who led the project team, said: “The Scottish folks scene is just not alone in dealing with the challenges of sexual violence and harassment – it is a matter throughout the music business and society extra broadly.

“However, the findings speak to an urgent need to recognise the experiences of victim-survivors and address sexual violence and harassment as a workplace issue that affects the Scottish folk scene.”

She stated in some circumstances the assaults weren’t remoted and 78% of the ladies reported a number of experiences of harassment and abuse.

Researchers stated a lot of the experiences of sexual violence and harassment reported within the survey came about in social settings associated to the people scene, corresponding to music classes or when socialising after a efficiency.

Prof Michele Burman, a co-author of the report, stated: “The Scottish folk music scene is small and primarily male-dominated, and participants felt many forms of sexual violence and harassment were normalised – rarely being formally acknowledged or met with meaningful consequences.

“Unfortunately, because of this, some girls left the scene completely as a result of they felt unsafe or unsupported. This is a tragic state of affairs, leading to an actual lack of feminine expertise.”

Dr Amy Cullen, who co-authored the report, said the music industry needed to take “extra significant motion” to protect women.

She said the report made a number of recommendations, including codes of conduct and working agreements.

She added: “The business might additionally higher help victim-survivors by making certain there is a designated safeguarding individual on web site corresponding to at festivals or in academic settings.

“We would also recommend creating time and space for discussions around gender equality, conduct and respect within the community.”

The survey findings are to be mentioned at an business occasion later, as a part of Glasgow’s Celtic Connections music pageant.

The Musicians’ Union has welcomed the report and stated it had gathered the largest quantity of proof of the problem.

Dr Diljeet Bhachu, equality, variety and inclusion officer, stated she was struck by what number of girls had skilled a “pattern” of incidents.

She informed BBC Radio Scotland’s Lunchtime Live programme: “It’s remarkably hard to tackle the issue in what is largely a freelance sector.

“The folks music scene is made up of numerous unbiased organisations, festivals, venues and promoters.”

She stated the report would assist result in modifications that supported musicians.