Screen Forever: “Everyone deserves a safe workplace”

The Screen Forever conference has addressed the issue of harassment following headlines emerging from the US industry.

“The accusations against Weinstein, Spacey, Louis CK – the list is growing – demonstrate the worst abuses of power in our industry,” said SPA CEO Matt Deaner.

“This abuse of power hurts and harms people – in particular, women. The accusations against Weinstein has brought front and centre the issue of sexual harassment and abuse of power in our industry.

“SPA and MEAA put out a joint statement at the beginning of the month stating we have zero tolerance for sexual harassment in our industry. We are working together on bringing in tougher policies and procedures to stamp out sexual harassment in our industry. Everyone deserves a safe workplace. It’s not just SPA and MEAA working towards this shared goal and to defeat this scourge we must all work together, united.

“There is also a perverse power in silence. The Sicilian mafia draws power from omerta – the code of silence. Silence can promote and protect perpetrators. This coercive power stops people from speaking up, ostracises whistle-blowers, drives talented men and women out of our industry, to our collective detriment.”