The Association for Electronic Music (AFEM) has launched a music industry Code of Conduct against sexual harassment and gender discrimination.
The Code of Conduct is aimed at companies that are members of AFEM and all organisations and professionals operating in the wider electronic music industry.
The electronic music industry is known to have a sexual harassment and gender discrimination problem, highlighted most recently by the revelation that DJ and producer Erick Morillo carried out sexual harassment over several decades.
Over 220 member companies have already endorsed the document so far, including: PRS for Music, !K7, ADE, Beatport, Brighton Music Conference, Defected, Get Physical, IMS, Mixcloud, Native Instruments, Pioneer DJ, Shogun Audio, Soundcloud, Traxsource and the Warner Music Group.
Greg Marshall, General Manager of AFEM, said: ‘We want to bring about an electronic music culture where everyone involved feels safe, respected and free from sexual harassment and risk of assault, to ensure safe environments for fans and professionals, and to advocate for a culture of support for victims of harassment and assault to ensure they are encouraged to come forward and feel they will be supported when they do.’
Andreea Magdalina, founder of SheSaid.So and a member of the AFEM working group which developed the document, said: ‘Our hope is that this document will dissipate any uncertainties in regards to the type of behaviour that should be encouraged or, conversely, penalised. For women and other gender minorities these lines are clearly distinct, although we understand the nuanced scenarios in which they take place and the necessary education required to reinforce them. I welcome the Code Of Conduct as a firm guideline that formalises the do's and don'ts of gender-based interaction in the electronic music workplace — whether that’s online, in the office, the studio or on the dancefloor.’
AFEM also sponsor a confidential support service for anyone affected by sexual harassment within the Electronic Music Industry. Call 0800 030 5182 from within the UK, or +44 800 030 5182 from outside the UK, to speak to a trained expert on sexual harassment and assault.
