Those who work in comedy are being invited to take part in a survey on sexual harassment in the industry by Get Off Live Comedy, an initiative that endeavours to make the comedy circuit safer through a confidential Human Resources service.
The survey comes with a trigger warning and addresses topics such as labelling unwanted sexual behaviours, lived experiences of unwanted sexual behaviour, reporting of unwanted sexual behaviour, risk points perceived within industry culture and suggestions for industry code of practice.
It is hoped that the survey results will contribute to quantifying the level of the problem in comedy. Researchers at Sunderland University are compiling a report on the issue for the initiative, Kiri Pritchard-McLean who is also involved said: “Tackling sexual harassment seems like a Herculean task and it is, but we’ve been heartened by how passionate and committed everyone we’ve spoken to in live comedy is to ending it.”
Get Off said: “Up to now we’ve been reliant on whisper networks and personal judgment, these are not fair or reliable, we think a formalised independent body is lacking.
“Sexual harassment is a problem within every environment but we’re confident there are enough people working in comedy that want our workplace to be safe and happy that we can make real industry and cultural changes to ensure harassment is no longer an accepted “occupational hazard”.
“In order to hold ourselves to account we want to conduct the first ever survey of the live comedy industry in relation to sexual harassment. This will allow us to dedicate resources to where they are most needed and to assess the scope of the problem.”
The survey, which provides a list of resources for those affected by the subjects addressed, can be completed here!
Get Off Live Comedy is holding a fundraiser at the Frog & Bucket in Manchester on 23rd November, for tickets and more information click here!
