Sexual Harassment in the Creative Industries: Tolerance, Culture and the Need for Change

Abstract

The economic, social and cultural contributions of the creative industries are essential elements of many societies and their governments' policies. However, there is growing evidence that precarity, competition and lack of regulation within these industries is exacerbating inequalities with respect to gender, race and class. With a focus on gender and sexual harassment among female workers, this study involved 32 in‐depth interviews with women working in the Netherlands' creative industries. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Findings suggest that sexual harassment is prevalent, and many women considered it to be part of their occupational culture and career advancement. Four factors influenced this phenomenon: competition for work; industry culture; gendered power relations; and the importance of informal networks. Implications include the need for a climate of non‐tolerance, sector‐specific research and guidelines, sensitivity training and further work with unions and professional associations to provide worker protection strategies traditionally undertaken by organizations. The article concludes that effective sexual harassment prevention requires action at the individual, educational, sectoral and governmental levels, beginning with public conversations to convey the message that sexual harassment is never acceptable.

Sexual harassment in higher education – a systematic review

“…structural characteristics of organizations that are expected to produce increased job satisfaction and engagement also reduce the incidence of sexual harassment (Ollo-López and Nuñez 2018; Timmerman and Bajema 2000), . the type of contract that employees work under is related to their risk of being subjected to sexual harassment, where more secure jobs result in a reduced risk of victimization (Hennekam and Bennett 2017;Mueller, De Coster, and Estes 2001), . well-integrated, structurally egalitarian workplaces where women and men share power and leadership equally prevents sexual harassment; women in male-dominated workplaces are at greater risk of sexual harassment (Cogin and Fish 2007;also cf.…”

“Speaking of Sexual Harassers Who Should Resign Tomorrow … Donald Trump”: A Feminist Rhetorical Analysis of Stephen Colbert's Late Show Monologues

“…The use of sexual harassment and sexual violence is considered a legitimate and expected means for men to express their masculinity and reinforce their positions of power (Robinson). Women in creative industries in The Netherlands reported sexual harassment as a prevalent and normalized part of occupational culture and a necessary part of career establishment or enhancement (Hennekam and Bennett). Women in supervisory positions are more likely to experience sexual harassment, in part as a tool to enforce gender appropriate behavior and accept it in order to keep their jobs (McLaughlin et al.).…”

Female Brass Musicians Address Gender Parity, Gender Equity, and Sexual Harassment: A Preliminary Report on Data from the Brass Bodies Study

“…These findings are not conclusive, however, and are compounded by research noting that women in male-dominated professions do not always perceive or define workplace actions as sexual harassment [33,34] A final theme within the literature on workplace climate addresses co-worker competition [35,36] In some workplaces like music and other creative industries, competition for work is routine because of the itinerant nature of employment, which puts power in the hands of those with authority to hire workers. Hennekam and Bennett [37] found that sexual harassment is not only tolerated, but that competition for work re-inscribed the normalization of sexual harassment in job interviews and auditions. This prevailing sense of competition creates further stressors on individuals, since they must generate networking outside of work; and their chances of further being victimized can increase [38,39].…”