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Access All Areas: Creating a safe and thriving music industry for all is a music industry training program led by Support Act and developed in partnership with Music Victoria, designed to educate members of the music workforce how to recognise sexual harassment, sexual assault and bullying and actively intervene.
Access All Areas was first developed by cohealth in collaboration with Music Victoria in response to research, reports and disclosures of sexual assault, harassment and harm in the music industry.
This workshop has been updated for Support Act, using evidence-based approaches to Active Bystander Interventions.
Why Access All Areas?
Incidents of sexual assault, harassment and bullying are being experienced disproportionately by people working in the music industry. Such incidents can have severe and enduring impacts on those that experience them, and more broadly, they set the tone for the types of behaviour that is tolerated across music-based workplaces, including in live music venues, on tour buses, in green rooms and recording studios.
The permissiveness and prevalence of such behaviours is likely due to deeper cultural and behavioural norms which have persisted in the music industry, and approaches taken to identify and eliminate abusive or oppressive behaviour towards others is a complex process, given that these norms are deeply entrenched, and take time to change. However, we can still play a part in contributing to positive cultural change and empower ourselves with the knowledge and confidence to act in ways informed by our broader values, which champion safety, inclusion, equity, and compassion.
What you’ll learn
- Through personal reflection, group discussion and engagement with realistic case studies, this training will help you:
- Define the actions and behaviours that constitute harassment, and bullying, and understand the impact of such behaviours.
- Explore and define what your individual responsibility might look like when you see sexual harassment, sexual assault, and bullying happening around you.
- Learn practical, accessible strategies to support you in speaking up and calling out abusive or oppressive behaviours.
- Take a small but significant step towards establishing more inclusive, compassionate, and supportive interpersonal practices within the music world.
How can I complete the training?
Access All Areas is available both online and in-person. Public access sessions will be announced via our socials and newsletter so keep an eye out for upcoming sessions.
What can I expect?
- Workplaces have three formats which will include case studies, break out rooms and will require for participants to have their camera switched on for a meaningful and engaging workshop.
- 90min introductory workshop, focused on basic psychosocial education & bystander intervention approaches
- 2hrs – Standard session 2hrs, delving deeper into themes such as the culture of violence, imbalances of power, and a range of bystander intervention approaches
4hrs – extended workshop, which builds on the content of the shorter sessions, and includes greater opportunity for personal reflection exercises, group discussions and exploration of relevant industry-based case studies
We have a cap on participants, so that everyone has an opportunity to connect, contribute and ask questions. This is an active learning space, and we ask that you have your camera on (if online) and come ready to engage. The content and topics we explore can be challenging and emotional for some participants, so we encourage you to prioritise your wellbeing on the day.
