Musicians want to change the culture of sexual assault in Nashville’s music industry

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Jack Ohmes, or his stage name “Jack the Underdog,” has experienced a lot during his time in the Nashville music scene.

“When I saw the problem in the Nashville music scene, I kind of experienced it first hand.” He explained some of the things he saw: “Rape jokes, dressing room banter, boys being boys, that kind of thing.”

It is a culture, he says, that creates more space for sexual assault and violence.

“There is a different power dynamic in every room you walk into,” he said.

This dynamic presents a unique challenge for the industry and now is the time to face reality, he says.

“Every person in the world is at most one degree away from sexual violence because the problem is so widespread, whether you know it or not.”

This led him and others to work on Safe Tracks, a program that trains people in the music industry to intervene in various situations in the hope of preventing sexual assault altogether.

“Music has always been a big dream of mine and I hate the idea that someone can’t follow their dreams or achieve what they want because of sexual harassment or violence.”

The Sexual Assault Center (SAC) adopted Safe Tracks. It was also endorsed by the Country Music Association. Now Ohmes is the national Safe Tracks training specialist for SAC.

It is a message that he underlines in his own music: “I want to say that I am committed to the disadvantaged in society … and to create a place where everyone can come, follow their dreams and make the music they want to make.”

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