New Sexual Harassment Help Line Emerges in Hollywood
Created by the group Women in Film, the new pro bono aid is in response to the experiences of sexual abuse and harassment in the entertainment industry women have come forward with in the past weeks.The help line will refer victims, both men and women, to health professionals, other survivors, and law enforcement alike based on what professionals believe would be the best route for the individual.
“This plan provides victims of sexual harassment with certain resources to take actions consistent with their level of comfort, and gives the victim control over how to address the violation and when,” Bonnie Eskenazi (who is gathering the panel of attorneys for the help line) told Variety.
Also, as it is a free service, the weight of financial burden is taken off of the victim’s shoulders. Executive director of Women in Film Kirsten Schaffer said, “Our phones have been ringing off the hook since these harassment stories began to break. We are hearing that victims feel isolated, that there is nowhere safe to go to tell their stories, that they believe they must keep their experiences silent or they will be sued or black-balled and that they feel helpless, fearing the legal costs of trying to do anything about what has happened to them.”
The official help line will launch on December 1st, and will be available year round.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
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