Stop women being silenced by gagging orders, say Hollywood stars
A NEW Hollywood women’s group is to target gagging clauses that stop sexual harassment victims from speaking out.
Time’s Up, which formally launched on Monday, will attempt to discourage the use of non-disclosure agreements, which made headlines last year after it emerged employees at Harvey Weinstein’s business were bound to silence by such agreements.
More famous women pledged their support to the campaign group in an effort to tackle the problems revealed by the Weinstein scandal.
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, wrote to her 41 million Instagram followers: “The clock’s been ticking on the abuse of power. I stand in solidarity with women across every industry to say Time’s Up on abuse, harassment and assault.”
Other British actresses, including Kate Beckinsale, Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton, Naomie Harris, Karen Gillan and Cara Delevingne also expressed support. It also emerged that Taylor Swift, the American singer, donated $100,000 (£74,000) towards the group’s legal fund to help victims of sexual harassment.
More than 300 Hollywood women had backed the campaign, which placed a full page advert in The New York Times on Monday and made headlines across the world.
Members of the public responded with a flurry of donations to the group’s legal fund as celebrities across the world urged people to repeat the group’s mantra.
As well as supporting victims and encouraging gender balance in the industry, the group will attempt to tackle the culture of silence around harassment in Hollywood by discouraging film companies from non-disclosure agreements – known as gagging clauses – which bar employees from discussing the inner workings of companies.
The longtime leader of the New York City Ballet is retiring in the midst of an investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.
In a letter to board members, Peter Martins, 71, said the scandal had “exacted a painful toll on me and my family”.