A culture of fear is holding back two-thirds of those suffering alleged bullying, sexual harassment and abuse in film and TV from reporting their experiences, a Bectu study has found.
In a survey of more than 1,400 of its members, the union found that a huge power imbalance is preventing people from speaking out.
More than 70% of those completing the questionnaire said they had experienced such incidents, but two-thirds of them – primarily freelancers - did not report it.
More than half said they feared being blacklisted or losing their jobs and 73% said they had no confidence that their employer would take any action.
Bectu head Philippa Childs said the industry needed a single reporting mechanism to monitor serial abusers and that every set should have safeguarding officers in attendance.
Time’s Up and actor’s union Equity have both called for an independent body to oversee complaints, a proposal backed by Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones, who sits on the DCMS Select committee. Culture minister Caroline Dinenage has said she backs an “ongoing cross-industry plan of action”.
Childs said some of the union’s members felt "very vulnerable", adding: "They worry about how reporting allegations of bullying and harassment will impact on their careers. The power imbalances are quite huge."
The findings were unveiled on Radio 4’s show File on 4. Listen at BBC Sounds here.
