Earlier this month a group of state theatre companies released a joint statement in the wake of the revelations about sexually predatory behaviour in the arts, most notably by producer Harvey Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey.
Its version of the statement was published on the main page of Sydney Theatre Company’s website under the heading “Sexual Harassment is Unacceptable“. The statement says, “We have a responsibility to proactively work to prevent, and put an end to sexual harassment, abuse and predatory behaviour in our industry and workplace”.
It continues: “We are an organisation of individuals that care deeply about our people and our community. STC is responding to the need for action through a range of existing and new workplace communications and support initiatives. We want our staff and artists to feel empowered and informed about what to do and who to talk to in case of an incident. We strive to be a place where everyone, especially our staff and artists, feel safe and supported”.
Given the vagueness of the statement an STC spokesperson told Daily Review that “STC has several policies – the Workplace, Bullying and Harassment Prevention Policy and the Grievance Procedure Policy. These policies are continually evaluated and updated. Inductions are carried out at the commencement of each production that refer to the existence of the policies and set out who employees should talk to if they want to discuss an issue”.
One of the alleged sexual harassment cases STC will not talk about is one in the recent past. One performer alleged sexual harassment against a fellow cast member.
Asked how the process of raising and dealing with sexual harassment claims is dealt with at STC, the spokesperson said: “Our response would depend on the situation. Actions could include face-to-face interviews and consultation with the affected parties, and if relevant their agents and/or union. We also provide support through our Employee Assistance Program which provides independent, confidential counselling”.
So has STC dealt with sexual harassment issues among its employees and contractors?
“Sydney Theatre Company has investigated a very small number of issues over the last few years. Sydney Theatre Company respects the confidentiality of the complainants and will not comment further,” the spokesperson said.
STC must be a very unusual theatre if the interim results from a survey of performers conducted by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) are anything to go by. It found that a staggering 40% of respondents said they had experienced sexual harassment of a physical nature (touching, groping etc.) in their work while 60% reported sexual harassment that included lewd or suggestive comments and jokes. Ten per cent said they had experienced sexual assault, including stalking.
But one of the alleged sexual harassment cases STC will not talk about is one in the recent past. One performer alleged sexual harassment against a fellow cast member.
The issue was dealt with by the alleged victim withdrawing from the production and the alleged aggressor continuing in their role.
The STC’s method in settling the complaint of alleged sexual harassment had, and still has, a profound effect on the company. The fallout from its handling of the incident has seen the career trajectories of at least four senior STC figures alter dramatically.
Daily Review is not naming the parties involved in the initial incident, or the production they were cast in, because the performer who alleged the sexual harassment has made it known that they want to remain anonymous.
Zoe Angus, the National Director of MEAA’s Equity, would not comment on this incident, however she said the interim results of the Equity survey into sexual harassment show that whatever policies or processes that are in place at theatre companies are not adequate.
On Sunday, 32 members of Equity’s National Performers’ Committee will meet in Sydney to discuss sexual harassment in the performing industry, analyse the interim results of the survey on sexual harassment and discuss case studies.
