New joint offer to break the silence on border security
Transgressive behaviour in the music and culture industry
The cultural industry is fuelled by creative collaboration and exchange, but work boundaries are rarely clearly defined. When work and private life merge, it easily creates situations where boundaries are crossed, power is abused or abusive behaviour takes place.
That's why 13 organisations in the music and culture industry, including the Danish Artist Association, are now joining forces to fund the counselling line Safe Room, which is an anonymous and free service provided by Sex & Samfund.
The first step is that the individual should not be left alone with a transgressive experience, but can call anonymously for guidance.
This is the opinion of the organisations behind the counselling service, which opens tomorrow, 3 October 2023.
"If we are to be creative, we need to feel safe. That's why it saddens me every time I hear about people in the music and culture industry who have experienced insecurity and a culture of silence where they can't express their feelings and experiences. That's why it's groundbreaking that so many organisations in the music industry are now taking joint responsibility and launching Safe Space. The counselling service can help ensure a more sustainable industry," says Anna Lidell, spokesperson for Safe Space and chairperson of Autor.
"The music and culture industry has a reputation for being tough, and that you have to be equally tough to make it. It shouldn't be like that. You should never have to put up with things like sexism, harassment or other inappropriate behaviour. With Safe Space, we give artists a safe and anonymous place where they can take the first step in the process of speaking up," says Thomas Sandberg, spokesperson for Safe Space and chairperson of the Danish Musicians' Union.
Listen to what Sex & Samfund Secretary General Majbrit Berlau has to say about transgressive behaviour and its consequences here.
What can Safe Space advise on?
The helpline is an independent body that handles anonymous calls from anyone working in the music and culture industry who has experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour, sexual harassment, sexual assault or is in doubt about it.
The function of counselling is to provide relief, clarification and referral. Safe Space offers a conversation that can clarify what has happened, process reactions and, with the help of professional knowledge, refer to the right courses of action, such as the police, healthcare and professional organisations.
Part of the music industry's 11 gender balance goals
In 2021, the organisations Danish Artist Association, Music Publishers, Danish Music Association, DPA, Autor and the Danish Composers' Association joined forces to set ten common goals to ensure greater gender equality in the music industry. The goals are aligned with the UN's fifth global goal on gender equality.
On Women's Day in 2022, music organisations added an 11th goal that focuses on ending structural sexism. The additional goal has helped give rise to the Safe Space advisory line and reads "by 2030, the music industry has eliminated structural sexism and both players and audiences have access to an advisory body that deals with examples of sexist behaviour."
Read more about the 11 gender balance goals here.
The partner organisations behind Trygt Rum are the Danish Artist Association, Danish Composers Association, DPA, Autor, ROSA, Koda, IFPI, Tempi, Danish Musicians Association, Danish Agents Association, Danish Music Publishers, MXD and Art & Culture in Balance.