An anonymous online whistleblowing system for workers in the creative sector to report harassment, discrimination, victimisation and other harmful practices formally launches today.
Since the soft launch of its reporting portal in June, the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority has received around 30 responses from individuals and organisations across TV, film, music and theatre.
The CIISA said that anyone who reports their concerns may be entitled to additional legal protections under UK whistleblowing law, including those who have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
It stressed that its initial focus will be to build a clearer picture of the behaviours and practices affecting people across the sector, rather than acting on individual cases, and will report back the issues, themes and patterns it identifies to industry and policymakers.
CIISA said the collected reporting “will offer unique real-time insight and evidence-based data about the creative industries, for the first time located in one central data structure, for issues relating to workplace harm, and the effectiveness of accountability measures”.
Partners on the project - Protect, The Survivors’ Trust, Help Musicians, Film and TV Charity and Wellbeing in the Arts – will provide pastoral support.
The reporting remit is modelled on the CIISA’s established standards, which relate to safe and inclusive working environments, with open and accountable reporting mechanisms and a responsible learning culture.
'No excuse to tolerate unacceptable behaviour'
Bectu head Philippa Childs said the union would work closely with CIISA to promote safe working conditions.
“CIISA was created because extreme power imbalances, the preponderance of freelance employment, and the short-term nature of projects have meant that the creative industries were a place where sexual predators and bullies could hide in plain sight,” she said.
“These UK industries are a global success story and a key plank of the economy and as with other industries, there is no excuse to tolerate unacceptable behaviour.
“Giving workers an anonymous, industry-wide, recognised platform to blow the whistle on bad behaviour is a crucial next step along the path to address bullying and harassment.”
Recently-appointed freelance champions Leila D’Aronville and Lizzie Crump added: “Creating safe working environments, free from bullying, harassment and discrimination are the responsibility of everyone in the creative industries.
"It is great to see CIISA launch this confidential whistleblowing service designed to directly support individuals and build a clearer picture of what is happening in our sector. We look forward to working together over the coming months.”
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy described the move as “an important step” in tackling abuse, harassment and discrimination in the workplace and pledged the government “will continue to back them every step of the way”.
CIISA has drawn up guidance on whistleblowing for individuals and organisations to explain who can report to the authority, and what kinds of reports it can accept.
