Last week, celebrated techno DJ and producer Rebekah launched the #ForTheMusic initiative on social media. The campaign starts with a petition and an open letter that Rebekah published on Change.org.

In the letter, she outlines her own experiences facing sexism in the industry, and how “systematic and rampant” sexual harassment and abuse are still a serious problem.

“We can no longer excuse the behavior of high profile artists because they are high profile anymore. That is corruption,” Rebekah states in the open letter. “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.”

She also outlines the goals of the campaign and the pledge in the letter. It ensures that artists, employees, and audiences are protected against sexual harassment, guarantees a safe workplace for industry employees, demands an end to the culture of silence, and holds clubs accountable for ensuring a safe space free from sexual harassment.

“This new era and post-corona world has allowed us the opportunity of a blank slate,” the letter continues. “And it is time to decide what that will look like. And this is the time to decide which side of history we are on… Together, we can bring the Dance Music Industry back to its roots.”

The launch of the #ForTheMusic campaign comes paired with the launch of the website Metoo-music.com, where survivors of sexual abuse can share stories, get help, and find the resources they need.

Participants are encouraged to download the poster for the #ForTheMusic initiative (or create their own) and post a black-and-white photo of themselves and the reason they aim to end the culture of silence in dance music.

 

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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. 👇🏽 We have a great opportunity to now assess what kind of industry we want to return to when it opens back up, what kind of people we place in these powerful positions and how we can we make clubs, festivals and after parties a safer place. 👇🏽 We all must be accountable and speak up about the abusers, allow people the benefit of the doubt when claiming abuse, as many stay silent for fear of retribution. To really look out for one another in our venues and parties. 👇🏽 So with this I’m asking you to read and sign an open letter on change.org asking the industry to be accountable to make changes, to look out for our most vulnerable because after 24 years in this industry I see we have made little to no progress in ending the culture of silence. 👇🏽 Will you stand with me? #ForTheMusic 👇🏽 Link is in the biog ☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼 And if you’re tagged, I know 💯 you are in it #ForTheMusic and asking you to stand with me and share the message, together we are stronger 🖤 To join the campaign, download the poster #ForTheMusic or create your own and share a b/w photo with the reasons to end the culture of silence and why you are #ForTheMusic and please share the link http://chng.it/rZG6TC9Z

A post shared by Rebekah (@djrebekah) on Sep 23, 2020 at 6:05am PDT

Sign the petition now on Change.org