Over the decades, countless actors in New York and other states have been the victims of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is especially prevalent in Hollywood where directors and producers frequently take advantage of the power they wield over young actresses. In response to the revolutionary “Me Too” movement, the Screen Actors Guild, or SAG, released new guidelines to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
How is the Screen Actors Guild working to prevent sexual harassment?
The SAG released several guides and pledges that aim to stop sexual harassment in Hollywood. Some of these guides offer new protocols for keeping actors safe during intimate scenes. Additionally, the SAG has halted the practice of individuals inviting actors back to their homes or hotel rooms for “private” meetings.
The SAG has also trained their members to assist actors who experience sexual harassment. SAG members can take advantage of a mobile app that allows them to report inappropriate behavior to the authorities. Additionally, the SAG issued a code of conduct that advises its members on how to behave in certain situations. While the SAG hopes to reduce the frequency of sexual harassment, the president and executive director noted that there’s still a lot of work to do.
What should you do if you experience harassment in the workplace?
Sexual harassment in the workplace can be traumatic and humiliating for the recipient. Some forms of sexual harassment are blatant, like making sexual comments or inappropriately touching an employee. Others are more subtle, like making dirty jokes or showing an employee inappropriate photos.
Whatever the case, if you’ve experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, you might be entitled to compensation. You may wish to hire an attorney to help you bring the case to court and negotiate for a fair settlement that covers your damages.