IMS Calls for Music Industry Accountability for Misconduct Issues
0%
IMS Calls for Music Industry Accountability for Misconduct Issues
0%

Society

IMS Calls for Music Industry Accountability for Misconduct Issues

BY

Alexandre Trochut

·
0 min. read
0 min. read

Illustration picture

Outdoor view of Tomorrowland store entrance at Ibiza Gallery in Ibiza

Illustration picture

Society

IMS Calls for Music Industry Accountability for Misconduct Issues

IMS Ibiza has published an official statement addressing safety & accountability in the electronic music industry following recent misconduct allegations.

0 min. read

By Alexandre Trochut

Alexandre Trochut

Archived Content

This article is part of BPM Magazine’s archives, preserved to document the evolution of electronic music culture. It may reflect the context, trends, and information available at the time of publication.

IMS Ibiza has published an official statement addressing safety & accountability in the electronic music industry following recent misconduct allegations.

A Statement That Reflects a Wider Reckoning

As the electronic music industry navigates a period of heightened scrutiny, IMS Ibiza has issued a formal statement addressing recent allegations of sexual misconduct within the hard techno scene. The timing is not incidental. Over recent weeks, a wave of testimonies has circulated across platforms and media outlets, exposing patterns that extend far beyond individual cases.

Rather than isolating the issue within a specific genre or moment, IMS frames it as systemic. Harmful behaviour, the organisation notes, is not confined to dancefloors or backstage environments, but permeates the broader architecture of the industry — from clubs to boardrooms. This positioning is deliberate. It shifts the conversation away from isolated incidents and toward structural responsibility.

From Solidarity to Accountability

At the core of the statement lies a clear line: solidarity is not enough without action. IMS calls on industry stakeholders — particularly men and those in positions of influence — to actively intervene when confronted with inappropriate behaviour.

This emphasis reflects a broader evolution in how responsibility is understood. The issue is no longer framed solely around perpetrators and victims, but around the ecosystems that allow misconduct to persist. Silence, minimisation and reputational protection are identified as enabling factors, echoing concerns raised across multiple sectors beyond music.

By explicitly stating that being “against” such behaviour is insufficient without intervention, IMS aligns itself with a growing demand for accountability that extends beyond public positioning into everyday conduct.

IMS Ibiza has published an official statement addressing safety & accountability in the electronic music industry following recent misconduct allegations.

A Statement That Reflects a Wider Reckoning

As the electronic music industry navigates a period of heightened scrutiny, IMS Ibiza has issued a formal statement addressing recent allegations of sexual misconduct within the hard techno scene. The timing is not incidental. Over recent weeks, a wave of testimonies has circulated across platforms and media outlets, exposing patterns that extend far beyond individual cases.

Rather than isolating the issue within a specific genre or moment, IMS frames it as systemic. Harmful behaviour, the organisation notes, is not confined to dancefloors or backstage environments, but permeates the broader architecture of the industry — from clubs to boardrooms. This positioning is deliberate. It shifts the conversation away from isolated incidents and toward structural responsibility.

From Solidarity to Accountability

At the core of the statement lies a clear line: solidarity is not enough without action. IMS calls on industry stakeholders — particularly men and those in positions of influence — to actively intervene when confronted with inappropriate behaviour.

This emphasis reflects a broader evolution in how responsibility is understood. The issue is no longer framed solely around perpetrators and victims, but around the ecosystems that allow misconduct to persist. Silence, minimisation and reputational protection are identified as enabling factors, echoing concerns raised across multiple sectors beyond music.

By explicitly stating that being “against” such behaviour is insufficient without intervention, IMS aligns itself with a growing demand for accountability that extends beyond public positioning into everyday conduct.

We stand in solidarity with anyone from any gender who has felt unsafe, marginalised, mistreated, assaulted or abused.

- International Music Summit

Aligning with Industry Frameworks

The statement also reinforces IMS’s support for the Code of Conduct developed by the Association for Electronic Music, an initiative designed to establish clearer behavioural standards across the sector. While such frameworks have existed for several years, their relevance has intensified as the industry confronts recurring patterns of abuse.

At the same time, IMS acknowledges that formal guidelines alone are not enough. The organisation points to the need for continuous adaptation, recognising that policies must evolve alongside lived experiences and emerging challenges.

This dual approach — combining structured frameworks with ongoing revision — reflects an industry still in the process of defining its own standards of governance.

Addressing Gender Imbalance and Cultural Barriers

Part of this reflection extends to IMS itself. The organisation revisits its collaboration with SheSaid.So, initiated in 2019 in response to concerns that some women felt uncomfortable attending IMS events, particularly networking sessions perceived as male-dominated.

Since then, IMS reports an increase in female participation, positioning this as a sign of progress while acknowledging that the imbalance remains unresolved. The admission is notable. It recognises that access and representation are not peripheral issues, but central to the broader question of safety.

A space that feels exclusionary, even subtly, can reinforce the same power dynamics that underpin more explicit forms of misconduct.

From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Safeguards

Beyond principles, the statement outlines concrete measures introduced following an allegation of inappropriate behaviour during IMS Ibiza 2025. These include updates to the Safer Spaces policy, enhanced reporting mechanisms, increased on-site welfare visibility, and additional safeguarding training for staff.

The integration of a block function within the event’s networking app signals a recognition that misconduct is not limited to physical spaces, but extends into digital interactions — an increasingly relevant dimension of industry life.

These measures, while operational in nature, reflect a broader shift: the transition from reactive responses to preventative structures. The objective is not only to address incidents, but to reduce the conditions under which they occur.

We stand in solidarity with anyone from any gender who has felt unsafe, marginalised, mistreated, assaulted or abused.

- International Music Summit

Aligning with Industry Frameworks

The statement also reinforces IMS’s support for the Code of Conduct developed by the Association for Electronic Music, an initiative designed to establish clearer behavioural standards across the sector. While such frameworks have existed for several years, their relevance has intensified as the industry confronts recurring patterns of abuse.

At the same time, IMS acknowledges that formal guidelines alone are not enough. The organisation points to the need for continuous adaptation, recognising that policies must evolve alongside lived experiences and emerging challenges.

This dual approach — combining structured frameworks with ongoing revision — reflects an industry still in the process of defining its own standards of governance.

Addressing Gender Imbalance and Cultural Barriers

Part of this reflection extends to IMS itself. The organisation revisits its collaboration with SheSaid.So, initiated in 2019 in response to concerns that some women felt uncomfortable attending IMS events, particularly networking sessions perceived as male-dominated.

Since then, IMS reports an increase in female participation, positioning this as a sign of progress while acknowledging that the imbalance remains unresolved. The admission is notable. It recognises that access and representation are not peripheral issues, but central to the broader question of safety.

A space that feels exclusionary, even subtly, can reinforce the same power dynamics that underpin more explicit forms of misconduct.

From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Safeguards

Beyond principles, the statement outlines concrete measures introduced following an allegation of inappropriate behaviour during IMS Ibiza 2025. These include updates to the Safer Spaces policy, enhanced reporting mechanisms, increased on-site welfare visibility, and additional safeguarding training for staff.

The integration of a block function within the event’s networking app signals a recognition that misconduct is not limited to physical spaces, but extends into digital interactions — an increasingly relevant dimension of industry life.

These measures, while operational in nature, reflect a broader shift: the transition from reactive responses to preventative structures. The objective is not only to address incidents, but to reduce the conditions under which they occur.

While the perpetrators are predominately men, abusers and their victims can be of any gender. The industry must confront this reality openly and consistently.

- International Music Summit

Creating Space for Industry Dialogue

Looking ahead, IMS Ibiza 2026 will host a dedicated discussion on solutions to sexual assault within the electronic music industry, in partnership with HE.SHE.THEY.. This follows the introduction of The Brave Space in 2024, an initiative designed to encourage open dialogue around inclusion and safety.

The framing is significant. Rather than positioning these conversations as peripheral, IMS integrates them into the core programme, placing them alongside discussions on technology, business and culture. In doing so, the organisation signals that safety is not a side topic, but a foundational condition for the industry’s future.

A Shift in Industry Expectations

IMS’s statement does not claim resolution. It acknowledges ongoing challenges, positioning current efforts as part of a longer process of structural change. Yet its tone reflects a shift in expectations.

Where previous industry responses often relied on general commitments, there is now a growing demand for specificity — in language, in action, and in accountability. The focus is moving from intention to implementation.

In that sense, the statement operates less as a conclusion than as a marker of transition. The electronic music industry, long defined by its capacity for innovation on the dancefloor, is now being challenged to apply that same rigor to its internal culture.

Whether this moment leads to lasting change will depend not on statements alone, but on the consistency with which they are followed.

Meaningful change requires shared responsibility and tangible actions. It is not enough to be against these behaviours if you don’t also challenge them when witnessed.‍

- International Music Summit

IMS Statement on Sexual Assault & Safety in Our Community

"IMS is deeply concerned by the recent allegations involving a number of artists within the hard techno community, and by the volume of subsequent testimonies shared by individuals across the scene. These accounts are deeply troubling and reinforce the urgency for continued, collective action. We recognise that harmful behaviour is not confined to any one setting, it occurs in clubs, backstage, boardrooms or beyond. While the perpetrators are predominately men, abusers and their victims can be of any gender. The industry must confront this reality openly and consistently.

We stand in solidarity with anyone from any gender who has felt unsafe, marginalised, mistreated, assaulted or abused. We call on our peers across the music industry, particularly men and those in positions of influence, to speak out and actively challenge unacceptable behaviour whenever they encounter it. Meaningful change requires shared responsibility and tangible actions. It is not enough to be against these behaviours if you don’t also challenge them when witnessed.‍

IMS supports the Code of Conduct established by electronic music trade body AFEM and welcomes its ongoing evolution to reflect new learning and lived experience. Greater accountability across the industry remains essential, and we are committed to playing our part in that progress.

In 2019 we began working with SheSaid.So to address the gender imbalance at IMS Ibiza after becoming aware that some women felt hesitant about attending, particularly at networking events which were male-dominated and felt intimidating. We believe IMS Ibiza has evolved significantly since then, and we have seen encouraging growth in female delegate participation. However, we acknowledge this remains a work in progress and reflects a wider systemic imbalance across the industry that must continue to be addressed.

What is immediate and non-negotiable is our zero tolerance for any form of sexual harassment or misconduct. Following an allegation of inappropriate male behaviour at IMS Ibiza 2025, we undertook a comprehensive review of our safeguarding approach and have implemented strengthened measures to ensure IMS remains a professional, respectful and safe environment for all genders, both in person and within our networking app. These include:‍

  • Enhancements to our Safer Spaces policy

  • Introduction of a block function within the messaging app

  • New and more accessible reporting mechanisms

  • Increased visibility of welfare support on site

  • Additional safeguarding training for key team members

IMS Ibiza 2026 will host a discussion focused on solutions for sexual assault in the electronic industry, a talk that will be presented in partnership with HE.SHE.THEY. with whom in 2024 we introduced The Brave Space, focused on further inclusion and more open discussions with delegates . We of course understand the entire event has to be a Safer Space and this is our primary focus going into this year's 17th edition of IMS Ibiza."

Resources :

TAGS :

Equity

Equity

Diversity

Misconduct

While the perpetrators are predominately men, abusers and their victims can be of any gender. The industry must confront this reality openly and consistently.

- International Music Summit

Creating Space for Industry Dialogue

Looking ahead, IMS Ibiza 2026 will host a dedicated discussion on solutions to sexual assault within the electronic music industry, in partnership with HE.SHE.THEY.. This follows the introduction of The Brave Space in 2024, an initiative designed to encourage open dialogue around inclusion and safety.

The framing is significant. Rather than positioning these conversations as peripheral, IMS integrates them into the core programme, placing them alongside discussions on technology, business and culture. In doing so, the organisation signals that safety is not a side topic, but a foundational condition for the industry’s future.

A Shift in Industry Expectations

IMS’s statement does not claim resolution. It acknowledges ongoing challenges, positioning current efforts as part of a longer process of structural change. Yet its tone reflects a shift in expectations.

Where previous industry responses often relied on general commitments, there is now a growing demand for specificity — in language, in action, and in accountability. The focus is moving from intention to implementation.

In that sense, the statement operates less as a conclusion than as a marker of transition. The electronic music industry, long defined by its capacity for innovation on the dancefloor, is now being challenged to apply that same rigor to its internal culture.

Whether this moment leads to lasting change will depend not on statements alone, but on the consistency with which they are followed.

Meaningful change requires shared responsibility and tangible actions. It is not enough to be against these behaviours if you don’t also challenge them when witnessed.‍

- International Music Summit

IMS Statement on Sexual Assault & Safety in Our Community

"IMS is deeply concerned by the recent allegations involving a number of artists within the hard techno community, and by the volume of subsequent testimonies shared by individuals across the scene. These accounts are deeply troubling and reinforce the urgency for continued, collective action. We recognise that harmful behaviour is not confined to any one setting, it occurs in clubs, backstage, boardrooms or beyond. While the perpetrators are predominately men, abusers and their victims can be of any gender. The industry must confront this reality openly and consistently.

We stand in solidarity with anyone from any gender who has felt unsafe, marginalised, mistreated, assaulted or abused. We call on our peers across the music industry, particularly men and those in positions of influence, to speak out and actively challenge unacceptable behaviour whenever they encounter it. Meaningful change requires shared responsibility and tangible actions. It is not enough to be against these behaviours if you don’t also challenge them when witnessed.‍

IMS supports the Code of Conduct established by electronic music trade body AFEM and welcomes its ongoing evolution to reflect new learning and lived experience. Greater accountability across the industry remains essential, and we are committed to playing our part in that progress.

In 2019 we began working with SheSaid.So to address the gender imbalance at IMS Ibiza after becoming aware that some women felt hesitant about attending, particularly at networking events which were male-dominated and felt intimidating. We believe IMS Ibiza has evolved significantly since then, and we have seen encouraging growth in female delegate participation. However, we acknowledge this remains a work in progress and reflects a wider systemic imbalance across the industry that must continue to be addressed.

What is immediate and non-negotiable is our zero tolerance for any form of sexual harassment or misconduct. Following an allegation of inappropriate male behaviour at IMS Ibiza 2025, we undertook a comprehensive review of our safeguarding approach and have implemented strengthened measures to ensure IMS remains a professional, respectful and safe environment for all genders, both in person and within our networking app. These include:‍

  • Enhancements to our Safer Spaces policy

  • Introduction of a block function within the messaging app

  • New and more accessible reporting mechanisms

  • Increased visibility of welfare support on site

  • Additional safeguarding training for key team members

IMS Ibiza 2026 will host a discussion focused on solutions for sexual assault in the electronic industry, a talk that will be presented in partnership with HE.SHE.THEY. with whom in 2024 we introduced The Brave Space, focused on further inclusion and more open discussions with delegates . We of course understand the entire event has to be a Safer Space and this is our primary focus going into this year's 17th edition of IMS Ibiza."

Resources :

TAGS :

Equity

READ MORE

Culture

Society

IMS Calls for Music Industry Accountability for Misconduct Issues

Society

Society

Culture

Culture

IMS Calls for Music Industry Accountability for Misconduct Issues