TNN thought it would share with you an impressive stance from UK theatre and arts organisations that would be a step in the right direction for our own arts industry in Australia.
In 2016 and more recently MEAA has spoken out about sexual harassment in media companies ‘MEAA is concerned and deeply frustrated that media companies continue to treat sexual harassment and those who are brave enough to raise it with contempt’. Their 2016 survey & report ‘Mates over Merit, found that of 1000 participants some 48% of women respondents have experienced intimidation, abuse or sexual harassment in the workplace. One in three women (34%) did not feel confident to speak up about discrimination’.
Meanwhile in the UK…
A joint statement against abuse by almost 80 arts organisations coincides with the launch of a survey seeking to uncover the extent of sexual harassment in the sector.
Theatres and arts organisations from across the UK have pledged to eradicate sexual harassment from the industry. A joint statement, which was published by UK theatre on Monday and signed by almost 80 companies so far, follows recent revelations of harassment and inappropriate behaviour by high-profile figures in arts, culture and entertainment.It coincides with the launch of a survey by ArtsProfessional – which anyone working in arts and culture is invited to complete – that aims to uncover the extent of sexual harassment in the sector, and to find out whether enough is being done to tackle the issue.
The statement, which has been signed by representatives of Battersea Arts Centre, Belfast’s Lyric Theatre, Northern Ballet, the National Theatre of Scotland and many others, states: “Following the reports and allegations of the last two weeks, first in America and, more recently, closer to home, we have come together to make clear that there can be no place for sexual harassment or abuse of power in our industry.”
Its release follows the launch of a police investigation into allegations of sexual assault by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, and revelations published by The Guardian last Friday that Max Stafford-Clark, founder and Artistic Director of Out of Joint, was forced to leave the theatre company following a formal complaint by a member of staff about inappropriate behaviour.
For more information on the pledge or survey go straight to the source: Arts organisations stand firm against sexual harassment | News | ArtsProfessional
