Chloe Howl talks industry-wide sexual harassment

From Digital Spy

Note: The following article contains discussion of sexual misconduct that some readers may find upsetting.

A number of women within the music industry have been speaking out about their experiences of sexual harassment in light of the sexual misconduct scandal sweeping Hollywood.

Female producers, singer-songwriters and managers opened up about the "endemic" issue of sexual harassment in the industry on today's Victoria Derbyshire programme.

Chloe Howl, who was nominated for the BRITs Critics Choice Award in 2014, said she considered herself "one of the lucky ones" as she recalled her own experiences.

The singer, who was signed when she was just 16 years old, explained (via The BBC): "I did have somebody come on to me in pretty strong way.

"He was a lot older than me and we were meant to be professionally working together. He would drop me off at my hotel, and then text me to say, 'Why didn't you invite me in?'"

Reflecting on the power imbalance in the industry, she added: "It's always a man in power and a girl on the rise who needs as much support as possible, whose career hasn't started yet.

"I know that there are men who are getting away with it. They are given this untouchable power."

Manager Yasmin Lajoie also appeared on the programme, telling Victoria Derbyshire that it would be difficult to find a woman within the industry "who's never been a victim of sexual harassment or abuse".

Expressing her frustration with the industry's culture, Lajoie said that she had begun collecting other women's stories of sexual misconduct and was shocked by the response.

"I expected stories of sexual harassment… but what I've actually received are stories of rape happening on company property, men insisting on oral sex from young women, men seriously assaulting women, raping them in apartments owned by major music companies," she explained.

Victoria Derbyshire airs weekdays on BBC Two.

Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct. If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.

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