Campaign launched to protect women from sexual abuse and harassment in Scots trad music scene

Female musicians and singers are campaigning for an end to a culture of misogyny, harassment and sexual assault which is said to be blighting Scotland’s traditional music scene.

Jenn Butterworth posted a video message on the #tradstandswithher campaign on behalf of the traditional music department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

The industry is facing calls to establish a strict code of ethics to ensure protection of female performers and “send a zero tolerance message to male perpetrators”.

A collective set up three years ago to debate and tackle gender issues in Scotland’s thriving trad scene wants a “fundamental culture change that ensures women’s safety, equality and dignity.”

It is urging festivals, industry organisations, educational organisations, artists and fans to throw their weight behind the campaign, which has been launched on social media with the #TradStandsWithHer hashtag.

Rona Wilkie, a former BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, said the scene was having its “#MeToo moment” by seeking to tackle “endemic sexual abuse patterns”.

Members of The Bit Collective are joining forces with musicians from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland to try to bring about change.

Its statement, which is being widely circulated on social media, said: “A growing number of young female musicians are risking their livelihoods and forfeiting their anonymity in order to speak out about their personal experiences of sexual abuse, assault, harassment and coercion by men on the folk and traditional music scene.

“As a diverse musical community, and industry, we must not respond with silence or complicity.

"We need a code of ethics, which protects women in folk and traditional music from sexual harassment and assault, and sends a clear zero tolerance message to male perpetrators.”

Glasgow musician and singer Jenn Butterworth, a lecturer in traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in the city, said: “The traditional music department strongly supports the voices which have emerged recently to call out the sexual harassment of female musicians in folk and traditional music, from coercion and assault to casual belittlement.

“We will work with colleagues, students and organisational partners to promote and destigmatise dialogue within our institution and in the wider folk community.

“As the campaign #tradstandswithher states, we support the promotion of a culture of respect, trust and equality for all folk and traditional musicians, and the creation of safe, collaborative environments where we can all share the music that we love.”

The Bit Collective was formed three years ago to debate and tackle gender issues in the Scots trad music scene.

Writing about her experiences on the Bella Caledonia website, Ms Wilkie said: “Women contemplate leaving the scene regularly due to the disgraceful habits of men. In doing so they risk the loss of a prospective career, an artistic practice, a social circle and part of their identity as traditional musicians.

"The burden of leaving should be passed onto the men who should know a lot better.

“I wonder whether the prospect of losing everything might help them to behave a little better.”

Singer and harpist Rachel Newton, one of the founders of The Bit Collective, told her Twitter followers: “Please share this message, have conversations and help us to make a positive change. Don’t normalise or excuse inappropriate behaviour, call out your peers.

Musician and singer Jenn Butterworth, a founder member of The Bit Collective, also performs with the leading trad band Kinnaris Quintet. Picture: Mike Guest

“We can all do better to make women feel safe and respected in music.”

Singer-songwriter Karine Polwart posted on Twitter: "Male sexual abuse and harassment of women has no place in folk and traditional music.

"Change requires us all of us who love this musical culture, and the community and connection it offers us, to listen, learn, and strive for better."

A statement from the Highlands-based music tuition group Feis Rois said: "We take safeguarding very seriously.

“The traditional music community, in its widest sense, needs to be a safe place for people of all ages to work, learn, teach, play and enjoy music."

Shetland Folk Festival posted a message of support on social media, stating: “In all walks of life, including the context of festivals and live music, it’s about time that nobody was subjected to behaviour that they didn’t give consent to.

"Thanks to the BIT Collective for raising the profile of this important topic in the context of the trad music scene.”