Sexual Harassment in the Film and TV Industry – 4 Ways to Report Misconduct
Sexual harassment in the film and TV industry can affect victims in a number of ways.
Sexual harassment in the film and TV industry has been a major problem for many years. Studies show nearly 95 percent of all women in the entertainment industry experienced some form of harassment or assault.
The #MeToo movement helped shed light on many industry issues. Aggressors like Harvey Weinstein, who was abusing power for decades, were finally called out for their actions.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act protect victims of sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment in the film and TV industry can happen a number of ways, such as:
- Unwanted verbal comments from aggressors
- Physical assault such as unwanted touching
- Sending sexually explicit or inappropriate text messages
- Showing unrequested sexually explicit images or videos
- Making sexually inappropriate comments to other colleagues
- Taking photos or videos of colleagues for sexual fulfillment
Quid Pro Quo is a common form of sexual harassment in the film and TV industry where an employee is offered various benefits in exchange for sexual favors. Victims of Quid Pro Quo may be offered a job, promotion, raise or other work benefits in exchange for sexual acts.
If a writer’s assistant is offered a position as a staff writer in exchange for their sexual advances, the assistant is a victim of Quid Pro Quo.
According to the State of California Department of Justice, sexual harassment may be based upon an “employee’s actual or perceived sex or gender-identity, actual or perceived sexual orientation, and/or pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions”.
For example, if the head of a specific department on set chooses to intentionally hire an all male crew, they are sexually harassing victims.
Sexual harassment in the film and TV industry, or any place of employment, can lead to a hostile work environment. If you face harassment, there are different ways you can report misconduct:
First, you can try notifying a supervisor. However, one of the issues of sexual harassment in the film and TV industry is often higher-ups manipulating power to their advantage.
Next, you should review the company’s sexual harassment policy. It may be a studio or production company.
Take action and contact anyone who needs to know of the incident(s). Be sure to keep a record of any emails or phone calls to them.
Another option is to file a complaint with state or federal agencies. For example, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) can help with any incident.
You can also get help by hiring a Los Angeles employment attorney.
Sexual harassment in the film and TV industry is unacceptable. Victims have the right to a safe workplace.
At C&B Law Group, our Los Angeles employment attorneys have the empathy and knowledge to help you following a claim.
We understand how stressful a situation like this can be. It’s OK, you’re not alone in this.
Your Hollywood harassment attorneys at C&B Law Group will work with you to hold all harassing parties accountable. We will build a case using evidence that may include:
- Text messages or emails from the harasser
- Video or surveillance footage from your workplace
- Witness testimonies
- Emails or phone call logs of your reports of the incident
- Your personal journal/recounting of the incident
There are benefits to hiring an employment attorney:
- They are familiar with constantly evolving employment laws
- They are on your side, and will support you throughout the journey of a case
- They will do everything within their legal power to help you get the maximum compensation
This is a scary situation. We know.
You might fear retaliation from the crew, or the possibility of being blackballed from the industry. However, you don’t have to remain silent.
At C&B Law Group, we will fight for your right to a safe and harassment free workplace.
If you are the victim of sexual harassment in the film and TV industry, contact our team of Hollywood employee harassment lawyers today to learn more about your free consultation.
