A practical bystander intervention workshop equipping music and creative industries workers with the confidence and tools to challenge bullying, harassment and discrimination safely and effectively.
Learn how to step in, back someone up, and shift workplace culture toward safety and respect.
SPEAK UP SAFELY: Intervening when witness to harassment & discrimination is an interactive workshop designed to help music and creative arts workers recognise harmful behaviour and take safe, practical action.
Grounded in Australian research and industry-specific case studies, this session focuses on the role of the active bystander. It builds skills to interrupt disrespect, support those targeted, and reduce harm in creative workplaces.
Participants learn that intervention is not about being a hero. It is about setting the standard of what is acceptable in our industry.
Why SPEAK UP SAFELY
Bullying, harassment and discrimination remain widespread across creative industries.
The 2022 Raising Their Voices review found that 55% of respondents had experienced sexual harassment and 71% had experienced bullying in the contemporary music industry. National data also shows arts and media workers experience sexual harassment at rates significantly higher than the general workforce.
Silence allows harm to continue. Research shows that most harmful behaviour stops or de-escalates when challenged early, even through subtle signs of disapproval.
Creative industries thrive when people feel safe, respected and supported. When bystanders act, culture shifts.
What the session covers
In this session, participants explore:
- The prevalence and impact of bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual harm in creative industries
- Common myths that excuse or minimise harmful behaviour
- The bystander effect and the ripple impact of silence versus action
- The 5 Ds of bystander intervention: Direct, Distract, Delegate, Delay and Document
- How to assess safety, power and context before stepping in
- Practical language and real-world examples of what intervention can look and sound like
- How to support someone after harm has occurred
- Legal context, including Positive Duty under the Sex Discrimination Act and psychosocial hazard obligations under WHS law
- Available support services, including the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline and Respect@Work resources
Participants leave with a personalised commitment to one action they can take to strengthen safety in their workplace.
Who is it for?
SPEAK UP SAFELY is designed for:
- Artists and performers
- Crew and technicians
- Managers and administrators
- Educators and students
- Venue and festival staff
- Anyone working across music, screen, visual and performing arts, or other creative industries
It is suitable for teams, organisations and individuals at all levels.
How it works
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Online or in person
Delivery: Interactive, discussion-based and scenario-driven
The session includes industry-specific case studies, reflection exercises and practical skill-building.
SPEAK UP SAFELY can be delivered as a public access workshop or tailored for your organisation as part of a broader safety, psychosocial risk or Respect@Work strategy.
Get in touch to discuss how we can support your team to build safer, more respectful creative workplaces.
Clinically speaking...
bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct are recognised psychosocial hazards that contribute to anxiety, depression, trauma responses and suicidal ideation.
This program provides structured education and practical intervention skills for individuals who have experienced harm, are at risk of harm, or are exposed to vicarious trauma. By equipping participants to interrupt harmful behaviour and connect affected individuals to appropriate supports, the program contributes to the prevention of ongoing psychological injury and the relief of distress across creative workplaces.
For workplaces
If you’re part of an Australian creative business or organisation, we can run a SPEAK UP SAFELY workshop for your team.
- To complete an online session you will need a group of 6-40 participants.
- To complete an in-person session you will need a group of 6-24 participants (fees may apply).
Want to know more? Enquire at [email protected]Alternatively, your group can also register in one of the public access sessions.Â
The serious stuff
Support Act is a registered Public Benevolent Institution (PBI).
This means our primary purpose is to relieve distress, hardship and suffering, and to support people who are experiencing, or are at risk of, significant vulnerability.
Our PBI status reflects our commitment to delivering programs that provide genuine public benefit, are responsibly governed, and remain focused on supporting those who need help most across the music and creative industries.
