The charity Help Musicians has launched a bullying helpline for musicians, following high profile reports of harassment in the music industry from singers including Lily Allen and Rebecca Ferguson.

The charity has launched the helpline with support from the government and within the music industry as most musicians are freelance and have little access to support.

Those calling the helpline will be able to access a specialist advisor who will carry out a risk assessment, offer guidance and give advice on their rights and formal action that can be taken.

“Bullying and harassment requires a collaborative response across the music industry,” said Help Musician’s chief executive James Ainscough.

“The creation of the helpline is a vital next step and Help Musicians is well placed to provide this service, as an independent charity.”

He added: “The anonymous insight we will gather through this service will shed more light on the issues being experienced and help to target the collaborative efforts for positive and permanent change across the music industry.

“This is a vital service, and we ask for everybody’s help in promoting awareness of it, to ensure that individuals who need it will know that they can call for support at any time.”

Last year former X factor runner up Ferguson called for parliamentary action to tackle bullying in the music industry amid claims she experienced abuse and harassment.

Meanwhile, Allen spoke publicly in 2018 about the “extreme bullying” she had encountered.

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