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Face The Music Now Foundation to support survivors of sexual harassment and abuse in the music industry
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 26 April 2022
US music industry veteran Dorothy Carvello has launched the Face The Music Now Foundation, an organisation that will support survivors of sexual harassment and abuse in the music industry. It will also work to change a system of what it refers to as “institutionalised abuse” within the sector.
“As a survivor myself, I have seen and experienced first hand how sexual harassment and abuse shatters survivors psychologically, financially, and professionally”, says Carvello.
“It’s not a matter of money; it’s about helping them put the pieces back together”, she continues. “This is about the decades old and widespread abuse of power in the music industry. We want to help survivors find their voices and take back some of what they have lost”.
Carvello, who was the first female A&R at Atlantic Records, detailed her personal experiences in her 2018 memoir, ‘Anything For A Hit: An A&R Woman’s Story Of Surviving the Music Industry’.
As well as speaking out about her own experiences, she has been particularly critical of the use of non-disclosure agreements by music companies to stop others coming forward. As part of these efforts, she has become a shareholder in all three major labels, with a view to eventually forcing – with the support of other shareholders – the termination of any NDAs currently in force over current or former employees relating to harassment.
“These large, publicly traded companies have been protecting predators and it’s time their shareholders know how their money is being used”, she says. “For far too long, the music industry has been turning a blind eye to sexual abuse and harassment, and we’re long overdue for that to change”.
Among those on the board of the new organisation are dean of MTSU’s College Of Media And Entertainment Beverly Keel and songwriter Bruce Roberts.
“Throughout my career in the music industry, journalism and now academia, I’ve seen how the industry largely operates outside of traditional office norms”, says Keel. “It’s lonely being the only woman in the room, and by working with Dorothy and the Foundation, I am focused on empowering those who have experienced abuse to speak up, and to ensure that our future leaders don’t perpetuate the abuse of power that has become all too common”.
You can find further information on the Face The Music Now Foundation here.
