Breadcrumb Home Resource Hub Just The Way It Is? Report Copy URL https://www.youthmusic.org.uk/community/resource-hub/just-way-it-report Just the Way It Is? Report Young creatives are demanding safety and rights in music. That’s why we created our latest report, Just the Way It Is?, together with The Musicians’ Union and Music Guardians.Above all, we want this report to give the music community the clarity and confidence needed to help create safer, fairer spaces where the next generation can truly thrive. Copy URL https://www.youthmusic.org.uk/community/resource-hub/just-way-it-report Just the Way It Is? Report Young creatives are demanding safety and rights in music. That’s why we created our latest report, Just the Way It Is?, together with The Musicians’ Union and Music Guardians.Above all, we want this report to give the music community the clarity and confidence needed to help create safer, fairer spaces where the next generation can truly thrive. The Just The Way It Is? ReportJust the Way It Is? reveals how unsafe environments, discrimination and exploitation continue to shape the experiences of young people working across the music industries, with marginalised creatives most affected.The report reflects a wider industry reckoning and what Youth Music is calling the ‘Raye Effect’, as artists, workers and campaigners are speaking out following in the footsteps of established artists like Raye about the urgent need to reform exploitative practices. Drawing on testimonies from 19 young people, the report outlines key recommendations for industry leaders, policymakers and funders, and includes practical guidance to help young creatives navigate the music industries more safely. Download: Download the Just The Way It Is? report Download: Download the Accessible Word Version "When I was 19, I had no awareness of the normalised harm young people face in the music industry, and though everyone else on the tour knew exactly the position I was in - management, crew, band included - they’d signed NDAs and were afraid of losing their jobs. The message was clear - don’t speak up, or your career is over before it’s begun.”Victoria Canal, whose early-career experiences included harassment, exploitation, disability discrimination and being groomed by a much older artist while on tour. The Stats 32% of women report being sexually harassed while working as a musician.(* Musicians’ Census, “Women Musicians Insight Report,” 2024) 94% of Black, Black British, Caribbean, or African musicians experienced discrimination. (*Dignity at work 2: Discrimination in the music sector,” Independent Society of Musicians, 2023) £4,000 is the disability pay gap, based on mean income for musicians earning 100% of their income from music. (*Musicians’ Census, “Disabled Musicians Insight Report,” 2024) How is Harm Experienced? If we want a safer, more inclusive music industry, we need to understand how harm is happening and what’s allowing it to continue.The infrastructure, cultures and working practices within the music industries means that these harms often go unchallenged and become normalised. The young creatives we interviewed described harm in many forms, and clear patterns began to emerge. We’ve grouped these enabling conditions into five clear themes.Low and no payUnsafe work environmentsDiscrimination and harassmentInformal and exploitative culturesBarriers to reporting Explore the Just the Way It is? reportIf we want to change cultures, then we all need to act.Download the Just the Way It Is? report and discover the recommendations we’re putting forward to the music industries and policymakers. Download: Download the PDF version Download: Download the Accessible Word version Recommendations For GOVERNMENT & POLICYMAKERS Read of recommendations to close the gap around safety, inclusion and rights of young adult creatives through policy and law. Read more For FUNDERS AND SECTOR SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS Listen to what grassroots industry organisations and young creatives need to make things safer and fairer. Use your power and influence to promote accountability. Read more For INDUSTRY EMPLOYERS Create open and accountable workplace cultures, with fair pay and contracts. Read more Prev Next More Resources resources Resources to promote safety and rights in the music industries Explore practical resources to promote safety, rights and wellbeing across the music industries — from safeguarding to contracts and fair access. resources NextGen Wellbeing Resources NextGen wellbeing support for young people in music. Find mental health resources, helplines and guidance from trusted organisations. Developing a Safeguarding Culture Build a safeguarding culture that goes beyond policies. Explore key resources, expert insights, and practical tools for safer spaces. Read more Prev Next
For GOVERNMENT & POLICYMAKERS Read of recommendations to close the gap around safety, inclusion and rights of young adult creatives through policy and law. Read more
For FUNDERS AND SECTOR SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS Listen to what grassroots industry organisations and young creatives need to make things safer and fairer. Use your power and influence to promote accountability. Read more
For INDUSTRY EMPLOYERS Create open and accountable workplace cultures, with fair pay and contracts. Read more
resources Resources to promote safety and rights in the music industries Explore practical resources to promote safety, rights and wellbeing across the music industries — from safeguarding to contracts and fair access.
resources NextGen Wellbeing Resources NextGen wellbeing support for young people in music. Find mental health resources, helplines and guidance from trusted organisations.
Developing a Safeguarding Culture Build a safeguarding culture that goes beyond policies. Explore key resources, expert insights, and practical tools for safer spaces. Read more
