Former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Macmanus has drawn attention to a mounting wave of revelations concerning sexual assault within the music industry. Addressing Members of Parliament, she described an "unbelievable" number of untold stories waiting to emerge.
In her testimony before the House of Commons committee, Macmanus emphasized that the music business functions as a "boys' club," and the system is inherently skewed against women. Many female professionals, she noted, fear jeopardizing their careers if they come forward with allegations of misconduct or abuses of power.
She stressed the need for a cultural shift enabling women to speak out without compromising their careers. The DJ, formerly known as Annie Mac, spoke before the Women and Equalities Committee and expressed her frustration at the numerous untold stories of sexual assault.
Macmanus, who had not personally experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct, stated that her 19-year tenure at the BBC provided her with a platform to discuss these issues.
She explained that she had engaged in conversations with various female professionals in the music industry, including agents, managers, producers, photographers, artists, and fellow DJs. She noted that a common thread running through their experiences is the consistent underestimation and undermining of women, particularly young women in the industry, leading to situations where they feel unsafe.
Macmanus provided an example of an artist who went to a pub with a record label executive who later sexually assaulted her. She also highlighted a general sense of feeling unsafe in male-dominated music venues.
She underscored the fact that the music industry operates as a "boys' club," with those in top positions holding both financial and influential power, making it inherently challenging for women.
Former X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson also shared her experiences with the MPs, who are conducting an inquiry into misogyny in the music industry. Ferguson described the tip of the iceberg, stating that "bullying and corruption" occur behind the scenes. She also mentioned instances where men in senior positions had sought to interfere with her romantic relationships and encouraged other performers to engage in explicit messaging.
Ferguson's testimony emphasized the urgent need for change in an industry where power imbalances allow such misconduct to persist, and she expressed concerns about unreported rapes. Many women, she noted, feel they cannot speak up due to the power dynamics in the industry."
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SOURCE: BBC News
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