The overwhelming majority of workers in UK film and TV have witnessed or experienced sexual harassment, according to a survey from Bectu, which found that high-profile cases like Russell Brand have done little to “shift the dial.” Almost 100% of those working in film, 96% in TV drama and 92% in unscripted, who were responding to a union survey of the creative industries, which includes film and TV, said ‘yes’ to having seen or experienced “bullying or harassment on grounds of their sex or gender in the workplace.” The figure was slightly lower (83%) for those working in broadcasting.
Respondents felt that high-profile cases such as that of former TV presenter Brand have done little to “shift the dial,” Bectu said, with only 14% saying these incidences have improved employers’ responses to sexual harassment in the creative sector.
Brand has been investigated by the police, the BBC, Channel 4 and Banijay. He vehemently denies all allegations and claims against him and says all relationships were consensual.
Around 84% said the sector “needs an independent body to investigate, report and prevent harassment,” which has recently been forged in the form of the newly-established Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA).
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