Sexual Harassment

“Enough is enough!” This was the message emerging from FIA when it issued its October 2017 Declaration on Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation in the Entertainment and Media Industries. 2017 will be remembered as landmark year in the sector, with the high profile revelations of gross sexual misconduct in the US creating a domino effect across the globe, whose ripples are still being profoundly felt in national media, arts and entertainment industries. Many have experienced their own wake-up call, with a global #metoo movement pointing to an endemic culture of sexual harassment in the industry, stretching across the world, and one that has too long gone unquestioned, ignored or even actively concealed.

With their role as guardians of working conditions and workplace protections, trade unions naturally must take up an active role in the discussion of how sexual harassment can be properly addressed. Many already have established practices and protocols to support performers reporting sexual harassment or bullying and FIA has created its own dedicated working group to exchange experience and practice on this topic and so to inform the efforts at national level across the globe. The group has looked at thorny topics such as addressing member-to-member conflict; or identifying  and addressing abuse of the creative process; or addressing sexual harassment outside of the workplace, in the casting process for example. It is also sharing ideas and experience as regards how to approach the development of guidelines, codes of conduct, and dedicated support services for members. This section brings together and makes available some of the key resources that have been shared in that forum.