Professional Respect Training 2023

SoundCheck Aotearoa is an action group formed in 2020 with the mission to foster a safe and inclusive culture for the music community. Soundcheck has the support of a wide range of music industry organisation. As part of our sector’s commitment to addressing sexual harm in the music community in Aotearoa, they started offering a series of Professional Respect Training days.

What is Professional Respect Training?
The Professional Respect training days have been developed by sexual harm prevention specialist Rachel Harrison, in conjunction with SoundCheck Aotearoa, based on a model for similar training that has been rolled out across the screen sector (In reaction to the “Me Too” movement).

Who facilitates the day? Rachel Harrison and Mel Calvesburt.
Rachel lives on the Coromandel Peninsula and works with organisations and communities across Aotearoa to help prevent sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence and child abuse. Mel was born, grew up and lives in Te Whanganui ā Tara (Wellington). She works at the New Zealand Defence Force as one of their small team of regionally based Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Advisors. Rachel and Mel are experienced specialists and they will ensure that the discussion is safe, constructive and respectful

What does the training cover?
The day long training is friendly and interactive and the content includes:

- Definitions of sexual harassment and sexual harm within New Zealand legislation
- WorkSafe obligations and legal requirements for workplaces
- Guidance for receiving disclosures of sexual harm and supporting survivors
- Options and pathways for reporting sexual harm and support services available
- Strategies for preventing sexual harm and fostering a respectful work environment

- Practical tips for bystander intervention.

Who is this workshop for?
This training has been designed specifically to support people who are involved with or working in music and is being rolled out across New Zealand for music people.

This training is for: :

- Musicians, session musicians

- Music teachers and tutors (public and private, classroom and itinerant)

- Music administrators, Music HoD’s
- Music directors (e.g. band leaders, musical theatre)

- Choir directors

- Music venue staff and management

- Sound engineers, roadies, lighting engineers, technical and support staff
- Music Managers, promoters, photographers etc

- Board directors, committee members for music organisations.

- Anyone working in, or interacting with the music sector.