UK TV & Film Industry “Failing Employees” In Its Approach To Tackling Sexual Harassment, Says Report
deadline.comThe UK’s film and TV industry is “failing employees” in its approach to tackling sexual harassment six years on from #MeToo, according to a first-of-its-kind study.
The Safe to Speak Up? report interviewed 18 people who described in detail 22 instances of sexual harassment, assault or violence experienced at work since December 2017, including sexualised comments, having unsolicited sexual images shared with them, unwanted sexual approaches, indecent exposure and sexual assault.
The University of York research found that abuse is still occuring, as interviewees detailed a range of damaging impacts associated with their experiences, including feelings of shame and self-doubt, panic attacks and the loss of career opportunities and confidence.
Most of the incidents described were recent, occurring since 2020, with six happening over the past year. “Six years on from #MeToo, it is clear that the current approach is still failing employees, especially women,” the report concluded. “As such, new regulatory mechanisms need to be devised and implemented.” Some interviewees described being encouraged to speak out about harassment and abuse, but then being punished or victimized when they did so.
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