Rebekah launches #ForTheMusic campaign against sexual harassment in dance music

Rebekah has launched a campaign against sexual harassment in dance music.

Rebekah announced the #ForTheMusic campaign on Instagram, detailing how she seeks to make changes in the dance music industry following recent allegations of rape and assault against Erick Morillo. She is asking for signatures on an open letter to the dance music industry here.

Announcing the open letter, Rebekah's Instagram post reads: "After all the reports coming out from women who have been sexually assaulted in the industry at the hands of powerful men had really made me analyse the scene and how it really is fucked up. We have turned a blind eye, stayed silent and let things carry on how they have always been for far too long.

"After deciding I would like to mentor people to help bring them in to the industry it became apparent I was unable to do this unless I stood up and tried to fight to make the industry a safer place all round. How can I mentor women and members of the LGBQT++ community, knowing they will face sexism, harassment and at worst, assault and rape and stay silent on this issue."

The #ForTheMusic pledge consists of four key points, which are: ensuring artists, employees and audiences are protected against sexual harassment, guaranteeing industry employees a safe workplace, demanding artists and performers to end a culture of silence and speaking up when they have witnessed sexual harassment and holding nightclubs accountable for ensuring a safe space for performers, employees and audiences.

The open letter reads: "In the last weeks we have seen our community divided. Wilful ignorance, slut shaming and a mistrust of victims testimonies in the face of systematic and rampant abuse has left many of us questioning if those founding values of love and freedom that we all came for, have finally been lost to a status quo which allows for an abuse of power, which encourages it, glorifies it even. There are predators in OUR scene - and this must not be tolerated any longer.

"We can no longer excuse the behaviour of high profile artists because they are high profile anymore. That is corruption. Sexual harassment, assault and rape can no longer be accepted. Not in our culture, not in our places of work, not inside our venues, festivals or after parties. And if for a moment my friend you think that you are not as responsible as I or any other to combat this and protect your friends, myself, or each other, then you are definitely no friend of music."

Read and sign the #ForTheMusic open letter here.

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Commercial Content Editor, follow him on Twitter

AFEM sponsor a confidential support service for anyone affected by sexual harassment within the Electronic Music Industry
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Call 0800 030 5182, (Outside the UK: +44 800 030 5182) where trained experts will listen and support