Sexual assault allegations rock Portuguese jazz scene
Nearly 80 reports of sexual harassment of minors, rape, stalking, and non-consensual non-use of condoms filed in a few days following a DJ's accusation.
What?
The Portuguese jazz community is in turmoil following rape accusations by DJ Liliana Cunha, also known as Tágide, against pianist João Pedro Coelho.
Her claims have triggered a wave of sexual assault reports, revealing what some are calling a “Pandora’s box” of abuse allegations within the industry, the majority of which involve some of the most prestigious music schools in Portugal.
The social network post that triggered the case:
Widespread Allegations Surface
Since Cunha’s initial accusation, social media has become inundated with claims of harassment and abuse. According to a count by PÚBLICO, nearly 80 reports of sexual harassment, assault, and rape have been filed against 18 individuals, most of them musicians. These reports have been submitted via the reporting channel: testemunhasdamusica@proton.me.
The scandal erupted when the DJ publicly alleged that Coelho had engaged in stealthing - removing a condom without consent. In response, Coelho, a former teacher at the prestigious Hot Clube, denied any wrongdoing, claiming “total innocence” in a statement on Instagram before deactivating his account.
The statement:
However, the accusation sparked an avalanche of further claims, with over 50 new allegations involving minors and women accusing the pianist of harassment, stalking, and rape, according to information reviewed by PÚBLICO.
The DJ detailed her experience on Instagram, writing, “João lured me into a night of pleasure that ended with me fleeing naked at 6 a.m. from Ajuda, filled with disgust, filth, and sadness.”
She urged other victims to come forward, adding, “His name cannot go unrecognised because I know he continues to use the same tactics on other women.”
Broader Pattern of Abuse
The scandal extends beyond Coelho. Another teacher from Hot Clube has also been dismissed after facing five accusations of sexual harassment and assault. The reported incidents span the last five years and include offenses such as stalking, stealthing, and rape, many involving minors.
Three of the 80 reported cases have already been formalised with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Judicial Police, while the majority remain within informal networks on social media.
Educational Institutions Under Scrutiny
A significant portion of the allegations comes from educational institutions linked to music. Many complaints highlight a pattern of abuse of power by influential professionals in the industry. In response, some institutions have bolstered their reporting mechanisms.
The Lisbon Gradutate School of Music, part of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon, recently implemented a whistleblowing management system in accordance with the General Whistleblower Protection Regime, introduced in September 2023.
The Hot Clube, where Coelho once taught, established an anonymous reporting channel managed by an independent entity in September 2022, aiming to follow best practices for combating harassment.
Despite these measures, both the Lisbon Graduate School of Music and the Hot Clube reported receiving no formal complaints through their official channels.
At the National Conservatory, a different procedure is in place: complaints can be directed to the student ombudsman or the school director, who must escalate them to the relevant authorities as per regulations for public educational institutions.
Industry-Wide Scandal
The ongoing revelations suggest a broader issue within the Portuguese jazz scene, where patterns of abuse appear widespread.
Coelho, who taught at multiple music schools including the Hot Clube until the 2022/2023 academic year, is just one of many figures implicated in the scandal. The unfolding crisis highlights deep-seated problems of misconduct and abuse of power in the industry, prompting calls for accountability and systemic change.
As the investigation continues, the music community is left grappling with the scope of the allegations and their impact on a scene previously unaccustomed to such scrutiny.