The following post discusses sexual assault and harassment and might be triggering for some readers.
After weeks of pressure, this week the most powerful name in Australian music came toppling down.
Denis Handlin has been removed as head of Sony Music Australia "effective immediately", according to a statement issued on Monday by the chairman of Sony Music Entertainment, Rob Stringer.
Handlin, who began his career at Sony Music more than 50 years ago, was ousted after weeks of allegations against the company of a toxic work environment.
The allegations - which are aimed at the company, not an individual - span 20 years and include sexual harassment at work events, intimidating behaviour, alcohol abuse, racism and the unfair treatment of women in the workplace.
Here's what we know.
What are the allegations at Sony Music Australia?
An investigation by The Guardian includes allegations spanning 20 years from a number of employees who spoke on the condition of anonymity, out of concerns for their careers or because they signed non-disclosure agreements.
Among them are claims of sexual harassment at work events, sexism, intimidation and alcohol abuse.
"Sony was ruled by fear, like nowhere else I've ever worked," a former promotions manager told the publication.
A former manager said: "They hire young people [who] walk into that culture and think that's normal because it's all they've ever known."
Sydney Morning Herald journalist Nathaniel Cooper has been following this story for months, and told The Project on Monday night he has been contacted by dozens of complainants with allegations which reach all parts of the music industry.
"Every week I get more and more stories, more and more examples of poor behaviour," he said.
"Not just at Sony Music [but] across the music industry... This is Australian music industry's Me Too moment."
He suggested that there could be many others from across the industry looking at what happened to Handlin and wondering if they too would face consequences.
In May, a temporary working group was formed to tackle sexual assault in the Australian music industry.
The volunteers in the group include musician Jaguar Jonze, MusicNSW's Emily Collins, Australian Festival Association's Julia Robinson, Hutch Collective's Larissa Ryan, BMG Rights Management Australia's Sarah Woolcott, Sony Music Australia's Sophie Paterson and The Annex's Mardi Caught.
The group was formed to "drive wider research and meaningful industry discussions, alongside expert guidance", Jonze said on social media.
Jaguar Jonze is one of seven volunteers in a temporary working group formed after a meeting yesterday in Sydney about sexual assault in the Australian music industry.
In 2020, Jonze - real name Deena Lynch - detailed her alleged sexual assault by two producers in 2019.
"It is sad that in my time in the industry, I've come across many predators who still abuse their place of power or profile and manipulate the trust people, especially young female musicians, have given to them," Lynch wrote on Instagram.
"When I was sexually assaulted last year by two producers, I felt alone, ashamed and didn't know what to do, or where to go. I am just writing this today, that if you have been affected by a similar story and need a space space to land in this sometimes terrifying industry – please reach out to me."
If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home.
Feature image: Getty.
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