A SCOTTISH theatre company has launched a new campaign to tackle sexual harassment in the performing arts sector.
Stellar Quines Theatre Company’s project – which is supported by the Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST) – aims to raise awareness about sexual harassment within the Scottish theatre community and help people to “recognise and speak out” against it.
Campaign materials created by former theatre designer and trained sexual violence support worker Lisa Sangster will provide information and advice regarding workplace harassment and support.
A poster has also been created for anyone working in the performing arts to download and put up in theatre venues and rehearsal rooms to back the campaign.
These will be supported by a series of four videos posted on social media throughout the year, which Stella Quines is encouraging people to share with the hashtag #ArtsAgainstHarassment.
Artistic director and chief executive of Stellar Quines, Caitlin Skinner said: “Our vision is a Scottish theatre sector without sexual harassment.
“The industry is starting to accept that it is not exempt from this behaviour which is sadly present in many other, if not all, professions. If you are being harassed, we want you to get the support you deserve.
“In creating the campaign we worked with focus groups of people in the theatre sector and it was clear that the routes to support were not obvious. This campaign is our contribution to the collective effort to ensure safer creative environments for all.”
Sangster said: “After completing my MA dissertation on Sexual Harassment in Scottish Theatre in 2019, I was keen to find a way to share and implement the recommendations I made as part of that.
“Stellar Quines invited me to host an open space session in February 2020 at one of its Hack the Patriarchy events and the idea to run an awareness raising campaign came from there.
“I hope that it makes those experiencing harassment feel less alone.”
Find out more at: stellarquines.co.uk/campaign/sexual-harassment
