8 January 2018: Allegations about a high profile Australian actor underscore the importance of organisations providing credible avenues of complaint and investigation.

Women in Media, a Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) initiative, urges media and entertainment employers to meet their responsibilities by ensuring workplaces are respectful of all employees and develop policies and procedures to deal with complaints and offenders.

Women in Media believes we must not lose momentum, as victims find the confidence to come forward and revealing the extent of workplace sexual harassment.

Women in Media, a national volunteer organisation with chapters in every state:

  • Acknowledges and thanks those who have come forward with their stories;
  • Strongly condemns the system that has allowed this destructive behaviour to exist unchecked;
  • Thanks the colleagues and friends who supported, protected and stood up for their workmates and peers in difficult, isolating and often traumatic circumstances;
  • Thanks Women in Media convenor Tracey Spicer, Fairfax Media and the ABC for their work investigating these claims; and
  • Wants it known that the stories coming to light are not new or isolated experiences (WiM’s 2016 Mates over Merit report found one–in-two women had been intimidated, abused or harassed in the workplace).

When women have previously made complaints and spoken up – they have been sidelined, ridiculed or victimised. Only now has a tipping point been reached that gives women confidence their complaints will be heard and appropriate action taken.

However, Women in Media remains concerned about a lack of commitment by some employers to providing credible avenues of complaint and investigation for employees. All employers must meet their responsibilities to keep staff safe and end the toxic culture of bullying and abuse that has permeated the industry.

Women in Media urges media outlets and employers to review their policies relating to harassment and assault. These policies must include:

  • Fair, safe, and easily accessible methods for reporting and efficient, effective investigation of all claims;
  • Training of managers and staff to end discriminatory practices and ensure that workers in our industry know their workplace health and safety rights; and
  • Implementation of gender equity strategies to end stereotypical gendered roles and male dominance.

Women in Media encourages the women and men in our industry who experience or witness inappropriate behaviour to speak out.

Media contact: [email protected]