Variety: Citing Hollywood’s growing sexual abuse scandal, Women in Film is starting a sexual harassment help line, launching on Dec. 1, and a pro-bono legal aid service.
Founding partner WME has provided seed funding to build and staff the help line. Women in Film said Friday that its Sexual Harassment Help Line and Pro-Bono legal aid panel will be integrated programs to refer men and women in need of assistance to other survivors, designated mental health counselors, law enforcement professionals, and civil and criminal lawyers and litigators. The help line will also serve as a crisis center and centralized information source.
6 comments:
It is really comforting to know that there are people out there who are actually listening and responding the endless pour of sexual harassment and assault stories in Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Honestly there have been so many stories and so little talk about where to go from here except fire the men at fault, that it was feeling like no one actually had a solidified solution to this massive problem that hasn’t gone away for decades. I also really appreciate that this new sexual harassment help line is offered to not only women but men as well. I feel like for the amount of times men can be sexually assaulted it has not been talked about as much as it should be. Yes, women are known for more likely being the victims to sexual harassment and assault but that doesn’t mean they are the only ones and it is comforting to know that this new project to help those encompasses all who could struggle with dealing with this kind of harassment.
This is great and exactly what the industry needs. I agree with WIF president Cathy Schulman that is is sad that we are involved in an industry that has need for such a service but I also agree with her in that this service is great because it is not connected to any certain company thus there is no chance of corruption or loss of confidentiality. I think it is great that they also offer a variety of services depending on how intense the person needs. The fact that the phones at Women in Film have already been ringing off the hook is concrete evidence of the need for this service. The varying services within the legal, mental, and supportive offered I feel cover all needs of anyone who would need to call in. I would be interested to hear about how this service is going once it has been up and running after a month or so.
I am so so glad that steps are finally being taken. For years and years, women have been coming forward with stories of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse, and they have been dismissed. For a few months, people are upset at the abuser and probably boycott their work for a bit, but in a year or so most people have forgotten all about it and the person is able to move up and on through their career, continuing to terrorize women. I am so glad that, first of all, victims are actually being listened to, with abusers careers being ended. But even more than that, I am so thrilled that there are more available resources being presented to women, like this help line and aid service. If we keep listening to survivors, taking real action against offenders, and offering more resources to those still living in this environment, we can work to change the culture.
I’m so happy that this is something that’s in the works. We always talk about how we can’t let the conversation about sexual harassment in entertainment stop once the headlines fade, and this is something long-lasting that will help to do this. The hotline’s creator said that one of their goals is to “move the national conversation about workplace harassment in a positive and curative direction”. This is something a really love because although I am happy that more and more abusers are being held accountable every day I think we also need to put more focus on caring for the victims. A phone hotline will give them the option to come forward and get help anonymously. This will hopefully allow them to speak freely, as they will face no risk of being blackballed or losing their career. Let’s continue to not let abusers get away with crimes, but let’s also remember to not let the victims fall through the cracks.
This is encouraging. Finally through who have been harmed and hurt are being heard. This is a sign of change and forward movement as no longer are victims being pushed aside and the offenders actions being swept under the rug. My question is how far this group will be able to push legal action against the accused with their pro bono law firm. This motion will only be successful if it can move past the hotline listening and supporting the victims of sexual abuse and harassment and and into action being taken on the abusers. This does seem to be the overall vision of the group and if successful will be a great movement for change within the industry as a way to protect the innocent and provide accountability to those who’ve not been held to their actions in the past and do more than just the media publicizing their shameful actions.
I think it is so important that people are finally taking a step forward, acknowledging, and responding to all the reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment within the entertainment industry. It has taken such a long time for us to acknowledge that what is going on and now victims (or survivors rather) have a way to confidentially talk about what happened to them. This service is truly exactly what this industry needs right now, especially with it’s adaptivity based off of an individual’s personal comfort level and how they feel through different approaches and overall anonymity, but also with the way it is shaped to transition conversation about harassment and assault to a place where we can improve from our current standings. I hope to hear about the ways this has progressed, and whether or not it reached the levels of success I hope it does, over the upcoming months.
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