This Instagram Account Is Anonymously Exposing #MeToo Moments In The Aus Music Industry
The stories shared detail numerous instances of bullying, sexual harassment, and physical and sexual assault.
An Instagram account called Beneath The Glass Ceiling has been quietly sharing anonymous stories of harassment and abuse within the Australian music industry.
— Content Warning: This post contains discussions of harassment, abuse, and sexual assault. —
The account — the owners of which remain unknown — joined the platform in November last year and has since shared numerous allegations from users about sexual misconduct, abuse, and physical and sexual assaults that have occurred in the local music industry.
“Beneath the Glass Ceiling (BTGC) is run by people who wish to give a voice to those who have been silenced by the injustices that exist within the Australian music industry,” the mission statement says. “This includes sexual assault and harassment, abuse of power, bullying, systemic inequality, and more. The stories and experiences shared here are not our own: our aim is to provide a safe space for people to share their experiences, connect them with valuable resources for recovery, and generate awareness of the broader issues prevalent within the music industry.”
“Show of hands if you are aware of organisations compelling victims of sexual assault, sexual harassment and underage sexting to sign non-disclosure agreements, offering payouts to protect perpetrators signed to their roster,” reads one post. Another post claims that a high-level industry executive told the person: “In this industry, getting on your knees will get you further than brains will”?
Numerous posts allegedly reference the same company and “group of boys”: one alleges many people have proof of someone “grooming” a 14-year-old girl, another claims that a group of “young girls” who were “highly intoxicated” were brought to the studio to have sex with them, while another claims they were filmed having sex without their consent and the footage was circulated — that same person also says they were sexually assaulted by someone in this same group.
“With each encounter I have had them argue with each other about who is going to ‘fuck’ me, pushing me into telling them which one of them I would ‘fuck’, telling me who they have had sexual encounters within the music industry, trying to show me videos they have recorded of girls doing sexual acts on them (which there is a bucket load of) and confessing their desires to physically harm certain females in the music industry,” another post reads, referencing that same “music family” company.
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“During my time at this company I was bullied, belittled, sexually harassed, and objectified by my direct manager” another post reads. “Friends I’d made were also subject to intense bullying, sexual harassment, assault and rape by the men who head up the executive team within this company.”
You can read through each allegation here.
Australia’s music industry has been poised for a #MeToo reckoning since the global movement began in 2017 following the explosive downfall of Harvey Weinstein. Unfortunately, the tight-knit nature of the local industry, where people will cover for their mates and stories will be swept under the carpet, and Australia’s incredibly strict defamation laws, have so far stopped the movement from gaining ground.
“Our plaintiff-friendly defamation laws have effectively killed the #MeToo movement in Australia,” Hannah Marshall, from Sydney’s Marque Lawyers, told Music Junkee last year. “The Geoffrey Rush case is a prime example of that. There have been no major complaints made since that case.”
It’s a primary reason why stories, like those shared on Beneath The Glass Ceiling, need to be revealed anonymously.
Last year, Brisbane artist Jaguar Jonze shared numerous allegations from different people of sexual misconduct about the same photographer — Jack Stafford — which then prompted a wave of similar stories from across the wider music industry. It was an important start, but there is still clearly a long way to go.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.