The UK charity, Time’s Up is moving closer to establishing an authority to tackle bullying and harassment in the UK screen sector.
The UK screen industry has taken a significant step towards the establishment of an independent standards authority that will tackle abuse and harassment across the sector. Time’s Up UK, a British charity formed in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, has been working with the BFI, BAFTA and other bodies to establish the body, bringing structure and oversight to the UK screen industry.
Plans are afoot to later extend it to other creative sectors too, such as the video gaming industry.
“This is a historic moment for the film and television industry to create a new body which will provide a just process for complainants and for those accused, to drive accountability and integrity,” stated UK Time’s Up head Heather Rabbatts. “The ISA is a crucial development in the fight to eradicate unacceptable behaviour and support safe, respectful and dignified working conditions for all. We are all aware that whilst there are helplines and advice, which are, of course, crucially important, fear and suspicion remain and, in a sector dominated by freelancers with little or zero employment protection, and access to work being based on formal and informal networks, many continue to suffer in silence.”
As the screen industry in the UK is largely made up of freelancers, the establishment of an independent standards authority is seen as a crucial step to protect workers across the sector. Once founded, it will also work in conjunction other standard authorities, such as The Hollywood Commission which was founded in 2017.
Whilst the UK screen industry hasn’t suffered a blow to its reputation as severe as Hollywood did with the Weinstein scandal, there’s no doubt that abuse exists and hopefully, the establishment of this organisation will be a huge stride towards ending unacceptable behaviours.
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