Third of theatre staff victims of sex harassment

ONE in three people in the theatre industry has been sexually harassed at work, research has found.

And one in 12 has been sexually assaulted. But when attacks were reported, no action was taken in the vast majority of cases. Two in three who have suffered

some form of harassment or ACCUSED Kevin Spacey bullying during their career did not report it, according to the survey of performers, backstage crew, front of house staff and management.

The poll of 1,050 people by The Stage magazine follows claims made against Kevin Spacey who between 2004 and 2015 was artistic director of The Old Vic theatre in South London. Theatre bosses said they have received testimonies from 20 people accusing US actor Spacey, 58, of inappropriate behaviour.

After its investigation into the accusations, the theatre has now created a programme to offer employees a way of sharing concerns about their colleagues’ behaviour.