Allegations of abuse – the French-speaking Swiss dance scene has learned from its scandals – culture
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Abuse in the dance scene is not a Swiss-German phenomenon. But in French-speaking Switzerland they are one step further.
The massive allegations against the dance academy in Zurich throw big waves. Similar shocks occurred in western Switzerland last year. The law enforcement authorities took action against the management of two dance companies in Sion and Geneva. Both procedures are not yet complete. The public sector suspended financial support until further notice.
Prestige ballet under pressure
A flagship of French-speaking Switzerland dance, the Béjart Ballet in Lausanne, was not spared from allegations. An external investigation attested to the management of the Béjart Ballet an “impulsive, irascible and insulting demeanor”.
Various measures have been taken in the world-famous ensemble and the protection of the dance troupe has been increased. In the vicinity of the Béjart Ballet, the Rudra Béjart school also had to shut down operations.
In several cases, the allegations did not come out of the blue. There had already been difficulties with Béjart in 2008. But in the dance scene, very few dancers dared to defend themselves. Also because they are artistically and financially dependent on the favor of the choreographers and the ensemble management.
A rebellion is also a risk, as reported in Geneva after the allegations became known: the dance troupe concerned was disbanded.
New contact points
This accumulation of cases shook the dance scene in French-speaking Switzerland to its foundations. But they also followed a change: the wall of silence broke.
The structures have been improved. Many of these companies and institutions did not previously have a person of trust, as labor law actually requires. Apart from going public, there were hardly any opportunities to denounce abuses.
Since then, cultural workers have been able to get help in two ways. On the one hand, there is a registration office at the French-speaking Swiss stage union, just like at the German-Swiss counterpart, SceneSwiss.
But the cultural workers in western Switzerland went even further: they set up an external reporting office that guarantees complete confidentiality. It IS operated by its own company, the «Clinique du travail».
Even the stage union has no knowledge of the content of the cases. The model should also set a precedent in German-speaking Switzerland. Discussions on this are ongoing.
No isolated cases
A dozen cases have been received in western Switzerland since the start of the external reporting office at the end of last year. Some of the cases stem from the complaints of several people. Together with the reports to the union, more than 15 cases have been reported, according to Anne Papilloud, the general secretary of the French-speaking Swiss stage union.
As the allegations surfaced, it also sparked a change of heart. “Many of those working in culture are now aware that some of the behaviors they experienced in their careers were completely inappropriate,” says Anne Papilloud.
Girls are poorly protected
Papilloud also experienced a case at a school in French-speaking Switzerland, albeit a private one. No cases like the one in Zurich are known from the French-speaking Swiss University for the Performing Arts.
According to the union secretary, training locations are particularly sensitive. Because students are not yet employed and risk their diploma in the worst case if they fight back. In addition, the students are not yet protected by labor law.