The fight to end sexual harassment and assault is still going strong. According to a press release, entertainment industry execs, independent experts, and advisors have come together to launch and fund the Commission on Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality in the Workplace. Led by professor and attorney Anita Hill, the Commission will guide “the entertainment industry toward alignment in achieving safer, fairer, more equitable and accountable workplaces — particularly for women and marginalized people.”
The Commission was agreed upon during a meeting held by Kathleen Kennedy (Lucasfilm), Maria Eitel (Nike Foundation/ The Girl Effect), entertainment lawyer Nina Shaw, and Freada Kapor Klein (Kapor Capital/ Kapor Center for Social Impact). The industry’s top execs were also in attendance.
The Commission’s specific mission, scope, and priorities will be settled upon after the first of the year.
“The Commission will not seek just one solution, but a comprehensive strategy to address the complex and inter-related causes of the problems of parity and power,” Kennedy explained. “The fact that so many industry leaders — across film, television, music, digital, unions, agencies, ATA, AMPAS, television academy, and guilds — came together, in one room, to explore solutions speaks to a new era.”
“I’m proud to be leading this newly-formed Commission on a long overdue journey to adopt best practices and to create institutional change that fosters a culture of respect and human dignity throughout the industry,” Hill added. “We will be focusing on issues ranging from power disparity, equity, and fairness, safety, sexual harassment guidelines, education and training, reporting and enforcement, ongoing research, and data collection.” She continued, “It is time to end the culture of silence. I’ve been at this work for 26 years. This moment presents us with an unprecedented opportunity to make real change.”
Hill herself is a victim of sexual harassment. In 1991 she brought the topic into the national conversation when, at his Senate confirmation hearings, she testified that Clarence Thomas harassed her when they worked together at the Department of Education and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Although Thomas was eventually confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice, Hill showed tremendous bravery by going public with her story and changed the conversation about workplace harassment. The Senate committee members and many others refused to believe her, but her experiences resonated with a lot of women — and still do.
Kennedy originally suggested a commission, along with a zero tolerance policy for sexual predators, at Elle’s Women in Hollywood Event in October.
Other efforts to protect and support women in post-Weinstein Hollywood include the Academy of of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revising its code of conduct; ICM and CAA pledging to achieve 50–50 gender parity by 2020; Women In Film launching a hotline for survivors; and Los Angeles DA Jackie Lacey forming a sexual assault task force.
