Robyn, Tove Lo, and First Aid Kit sign open letter against sexual abuse in Swedish music industry

Over 2000 women — including Robyn, Tove Lo, and members of First Aid Kit — have signed an open letter raising awareness of sexual assault in the Swedish music industry.

The Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter published multiple anonymous stories written by musicians, artists, and record company employees who have suffered sexual abuse and harassment while working in the industry.

“These stories describe a few occasions over many years,” the co-authored letter notes. “They are an extract of hundreds of testimonies, all of them from what we call the music industry. They describe things that happen every day.”

The letter — which was also signed by Zara Larsson, Seinabo Sey, Nina Persson of The Cardigans and Carola — calls out the overwhelming inequality in the industry, describing how a “culture of silence” has prevailed all these years.

“We will no longer be silent,” they continue. “We demand zero tolerance for sexual exploitation or violence. Sexual assault or violence will have consequences in terms of terminations of contracts.”

The letter finishes: “We will put shame back where it belongs - with the perpetrators and the people protecting them. “We all speak with one voice and we will not comment the content of this article further. No means no – respect that! We know who you are.”

Since the letter was published, three major record labels have offered their support, Sony Music Entertainment Sweden managing director Mark Dennis, via Billboard: "This is an extremely dark side of the music industry which now, thankfully, comes in the light it should be.”

Per Sundin, CEO of Universal Music Group Sweden and Warner Music's president in the Nordics, Jonas Siljemark shared similar sentiments.