Artyness columnist and musician Liza Mulholland highlights support available for women in trad harassed by predators

I write this in a week which has seen the first anniversary of the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard, International Women’s Day, and #MillionWomen protest against continuing violence and harassment.

It feels timely to turn my attention in today’s column to sexual harassment of women in folk and traditional music.

Like many of you, I have been following the ongoing discussion by BBC Radio Scotland’s John Beattie, on his afternoon Drivetime show, on this subject, and appalled by the revelations and accounts of harassment and abuse by male musicians of female colleagues and students.

Appalled but not surprised, for, like many women working in folk music, I too know personally of gross and outrageous behaviour by male musicians in positions of influence.

Even before #MeToo existed, bringing revelations from the fields of film, theatre, sport, entertainment etc, I recall reading on Hands Up For Trad’s (the organisation that brings us the Trad Awards) Discussion Forum a ‘sex for gigs’ thread about one particular predator. The folk there were suggesting this middle-aged male musician was using his ability to offer gigs to female musicians in exchange for sex.

Things have moved on apace and women are feeling much more confident about speaking out about such abuse of power.

Statements by women musicians to Radio Scotland’s John Beattie included many accounts of harassment, coercion and assault, with singer Iona Fyfe openly stating she was offered a gig in exchange for sex by a male musician running a festival.

One of the difficulties facing women musicians up until now is who to report such behaviour to. Most musicians are freelancers, not in the employment of organisations or companies, and therefore who do we turn to?

In the last couple of years, Scotland’s BIT Collective has been established to support women in our field of music experiencing or witnessing harassment and abuse, signpost help and resources, and promote equality. The Musician’s Union is also working hard in this field.

Both have launched Safe Space confidential email accounts to take women’s statements, with which they can build a picture of the extent of this behaviour, offer support, and devise strategies and policy.

Sexual predation often happens at festivals, after-gig parties, pubs, late night environments which can present alcohol-fuelled intimidating situations, and there are many reasons why women never report harassment or assault.

In folk music this can include fear of backlash and bullying, concerns for careers, worries about being isolated, smeared, blacklisted, and more. Sadly, for many, lying low and staying silent has often felt like the safer option.

There is something far wrong when older male musicians can hit on and bed younger females, and then ‘reward’ them with gigs, concert and support spots, tutoring jobs, promotion of their music etc.

This power dynamic has been abused for too long; time to call out and call time on trad’s predators.

Report to BIT Collective’s Safe Space, anonymously if preferred: https://www.thebitcollective.co.uk/safe-space-folk-1

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.