Hello, Fringe friends!
As the vibrant, bustling Edinburgh Fringe Festival hits its stride, Get Off Live Comedy is once again stepping up to support workers in the UK live comedy scene who may experience sexual harassment. With an alarming rise in reported incidents, now more than ever, it’s crucial to know the resources and advice available to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.
Rising Concerns at the Fringe
Typically reports to our HR clinic show a significant increase in sexual harassment complaints at the Edinburgh Fringe, escalating from five to fifteen cases per month. This spike underscores the necessity for robust support mechanisms and clear guidance for performers, crew, and venue staff.
Understanding Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can manifest in various forms, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. It creates a hostile and intimidating environment that can profoundly impact one’s mental and emotional well-being.
Resources and Support
Get Off Live Comedy, dedicated to ensuring a safe and inclusive environment within the comedy industry, offers year round confidential advice to those affected by sexual harassment as well as practical support for employers. Think of us as your HR department for preventing sexual harassment un UK live comedy, we have the employment law knowledge of corporate HR with the industry understanding of a professional comedian.
“We’ve lost too many brilliant performers to harassment before, we don’t want to lose any others”
-Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Key Steps to Take if You Experience Harassment
- Recognise and Document: Acknowledge the harassment and document incidents meticulously, noting dates, times, locations, and any witnesses present.
- Speak Up: If you feel safe, address the behaviour with the harasser directly. Sometimes, a direct conversation can halt unwanted behaviour.
- Seek Support: Reach out to trusted colleagues, friends, or organisations like Get Off Live Comedy for emotional support and advice on next steps.
- Report the Incident: Inform your venue or event organisers about the harassment. Organisations should have policies and procedures to handle such complaints confidentially.
- Use Available Resources: Utilise tools and support from Get Off Live Comedy, or other employment support organisations such as ACAS, and UNISON. They offer advice on legal rights, formal complaint procedures, and access to professional support services.
If you have experienced or observed sexual harassment and want advice on how to report, please contact us at hr@getofflivecomedy.co.uk
Health and Wellbeing at the Fringe
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival acknowledges the importance of health and well-being for all participants. Resources available on the Fringe website offer guidance on staying safe, maintaining mental health, and accessing emergency support if needed.
Moving Forward Together
Combating sexual harassment requires a collective effort. By fostering an environment of respect and support, Get Off Live Comedy aims to ensure that everyone in the comedy community can perform and work without fear or intimidation. If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual harassment, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
For more information and support, visit Get Off Live Comedy.
Let’s work together to create a safer, more inclusive comedy scene at the Edinburgh Fringe and beyond.
