Study finds victims of harassment in UK film & TV can be punished for speaking out

The UK film and screen industry is failing to tackle sexual harassment, with some victims punished or victimised if they do speak out, according to a new report looking at the experiences of staff in a range of roles across the television and film industry.

The research, led by an academic at the University of York, reveals sexual harassment and abuse is still occurring in the industry despite the #MeToo movement and that some reports are being covered up, with staff exposed to further discrimination.

The report, Safe to Speak Up?, is based on research interviews with 18 people working in the UK screen industry who experienced and/or reported sexual harrassment and violence at work, including sexualised comments, having unsolicited sexual images shared with them, unwanted sexual approaches, indecent exposure and sexual assault.

Some interviewees describe being encouraged to speak out about harassment and abuse, but then being punished or victimised when they did so.

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.

Lead author of the study, Dr Anna Bull from the Department of Education at the University of York, said:

“Sexual harassment can occur in many different workplaces, but it is more prevalent where there are greater levels of inequality between staff. The screen industry has high levels of gender inequality, with more men in positions of power, as well as a steep workplace hierarchy.

"An obvious example of this is in the treatment of “the talent” (a term which refers to actors and presenters) who are given higher status and protections compared to others on set.

“This study shows us that six years on from the #MeToo movement, sexual harassment and violence are still occurring in the industry.

"Despite these life-changing impacts, in many workplaces, the minimum legal requirements for addressing this issue are still not in place.”

Many interviewees were not aware of any initiatives to tackle sexual harassment in their workplace and reported a strong reliance by employers on informal responses to complaints which were not adequate to address the situation and sometimes resulted in further discrimination.

Some interviewees were blocked or dissuaded from reporting what had happened to them, for example Sarah said: “I look back and I realise probably even that informal phone call to my bosses to raise concerns was a mistake because they turned around to me and said, “Oh look, it would be very bruising if you raised this formally. You know that, right?” And I said, “Oh okay,” and I kind of read between the lines, and didn't raise it formally at that point.”

The interviewees worked across different genres including high-end television and film, drama, documentary, factual, unscripted, and journalism, in a variety of roles including pre- and post-production, crew, producers, runners, researchers, and an actor.

Dr Bull recommends that more regulatory oversight is needed for broadcasters and commissioning channels to incentivise them to take more responsibility for sexual harassment on productions that they have commissioned.

She also hopes that the report will raise awareness of what sexual harassment looks like in the workplace and why it occurs.

Lucy Tallon, Mental Health Lead at the Film and TV Charity, said:

“The findings in Safe to Speak Up?, indicate that sexual harassment in our industry is still too prevalent and deeply harmful.

"To address bullying and harassment, we as an industry need to come together, from all sides – preventative and reactive."

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