Beneath The Glass Ceiling NZ launches to continue Aotearoa’s #MeToo movement

Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault. If you or someone you know is affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

Less than three months after an Instagram page titled Beneath The Glass Ceiling launched in Australia, a sister account has launched in New Zealand.

Launched overnight, Beneath The Glass Ceiling NZ‘s bio says, “Real life experiences working beneath the glass ceiling of Aotearoa’s music industry”.

It’s first and only post as yet reads:

Beneath the Glass Ceiling NZ (BTGC-NZ) is run by people who wish to give a voice to those who have been silenced by the injustices that exist within the Aotearoa music industry. This includes sexual assault and harassment, abuse of power, bullying, systemic inequality, and more.

The stories and experiences shared here are not our own: our aim is to provide a safe space for people to share their experiences, connect them with valuable resources for recovery, and generate awareness of the broader issues prevalent within the music industry.

If you are following this page, please respect the space that you are in, and be aware that we will not tolerate anything but the utmost support for the people sharing their stories.

Ngā mihi,
BTGC – NZ x

TIO understands the NZ account is run by a separate entity than the Australian account.

Its current followers include Kim Boshier, Managing Director at Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand, and Heath Johns, Managing Director at BMG Australia and New Zealand.

When Beneath The Glass Ceiling launched in August last year, it arrived at a time when the loudest industry whispers seems to offer a resounding ‘Where is the Australian music industry’s #MeToo movement?!’

The account has been hosting real life claims of sexual harassment and assault in the Australian music industry, and seems to have insider knowledge of known abusers.

A recent post from the Australian account offered one claim of concerning company culture and drug abuse in the music industry.

It reads:

“This was a culture of men who would not promote women so they could have executive nights out at strip clubs without women in the executive team. Assistants and mainly junior staff (that were naive and desperate to be promoted or just to fit in) were often drugged and made to drink too much at several events, often put in situations where they were alone with senior management and in vulnerable situations.”

Anyone wanting to submit their own account of abuse are able to email them through anonymously to beneaththeglassceilingnz@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.