Experienced Industry Misconduct? Steps To Take

Written By Alexa Morden

Misconduct, malpractice and abuse in the creative arts can take many forms, and they can happen anywhere - on set, in rehearsal rooms, at production offices, in meetings, or in personal spaces like WhatsApp, social media, or other online platforms. These behaviours can range from subtle manipulation to overt abuse. They include, but are not limited to:

Harassment: This can be unwanted or inappropriate comments, jokes, or physical advances that create a hostile environment. It can happen in front of colleagues or in private messages, and often leaves the victim feeling uncomfortable, powerless, or unsafe.

Sexual Misconduct: This includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, flirtatious language in professional settings, or any verbal, physical, or digital conduct of a sexual nature. These situations can feel confusing or isolating because of the imbalance of power and the potential fear of professional consequences.

Bullying: Intimidation, threats, or abusive and demeaning language are common ways some industry professionals attempt to control or dominate others. Bullying can be overt, like shouting or public humiliation, or subtle, like undermining someone quietly over time.

Abusive Remarks: These can be verbal or online, often aimed at belittling, insulting, or demeaning someone. It can also include subtle digs that erode self-confidence or make you doubt your own judgement.

Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on race, gender, sexuality, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. Discrimination can be direct, such as refusing someone a role, or indirect, like consistently overlooking them for opportunities.

Exploitation: Taking advantage of someone’s work, talent, or labour without proper compensation or recognition. This can include hiring someone for free or underpaying them while benefiting from their work.

Coercion: This is when someone is forced or manipulated to act against their will, often through threats, implied consequences for their career, or emotional manipulation.

Inappropriate Conduct: Any behaviour that violates industry standards or personal boundaries, even if it doesn’t fall neatly into one of the above categories.

Deceit and Fraud: This can include mishandling payments, restricting access to contracts or jobs, coercing compliance, or other fraudulent practices designed to benefit the abuser.

Recognising these behaviours is the first step toward addressing and preventing them. If you experience or witness misconduct or abuse, it is important to take steps to protect yourself and others.

Remind Yourself

The first and most important thing to remember is: you are not alone. Experiencing abuse and misconduct can feel very isolating, like you’re a tiny voice that doesn’t matter. But that is not the case. The entertainment industry, for all its glamour and excitement, is rife with misconduct. This is due to a lack of regulation, hierarchical structures that are easy to abuse, and a culture that often values power over ethics.

When behaviour from an individual is brazen, shocking, or manipulative, it’s usually not a one-off. Most abusers have a pattern, a modus operandi, that they have established over time. They have likely acted like this with others before you.

It’s also critical to understand that this is not your problem to carry. They are the person in the wrong. You are not in the wrong for taking action. If they try to position you as themselves as a victim, or make you feel responsible, remember: anything that happens as a result of sharing your experience is a consequence of their actions, not yours.

Sharing your experience is vital. Do not suffer in silence. Speaking up or asking for support is not just about holding someone accountable; it is also about protecting others from future harm.

Reporting

Reporting can feel daunting, and unfortunately you cannot be sure that industry organisations will take immediate action. However, it is incredibly important to report as it’s not only about getting consequences for the perpetrator - every report helps to establish a pattern and makes it more difficult for future victims to be ignored or silenced.

If you later choose to take another route to pursue justice - going public, speaking out online, sharing your story with the press, or advocacy organisations, you will be able to say that you did everything you could to report the behaviour through proper channels. This can strengthen your position, highlight the systemic issues in the industry, and demonstrate that these are not isolated incidents.

You never know the details of the complaint process or how many others have reported similar behaviour. Your report might be the tipping point that leads to real action.

Where to Report

Your Employer
If you are working in a theatre, production office, or similar setting, find a confidential point of contact such as HR. Let them know you are making an official report and that you will also be contacting Equity, CIISA, or other relevant bodies. Ask them to log your report in case of past or future incidents.

Casting Guilds
If you are reporting a casting director, find out if they are a member of any of the guilds. If so, report them directly. The casting guilds have a strict code of conduct and there is the option to report anonymously. You could even request a phone call with someone from the board to talk through your experience first and gain support in reporting.

Equity
The UK actors union are not regulators. However, with nowhere else for people to go, they should be aware of what is going on and the lack of safeguarding, and push to create safe spaces to report and see action taken. If you are an Equity member, they can help you with legal costs and follow up support.

The Police/Action Fraud
If your experience includes behaviour of a criminal nature, report it to the police immediately. You can contact your local police station or the police local to the perpetrator. If you are owed money or there are aspects of fraud, report to action fraud.

The Press
When industry organisations fail to act, journalists can make a real difference. Going to the press not only gives you a chance for your voice to be heard, but they can also take steps other organsations can’t/won’t, and actually see action. If you have a story you think lends itself to investigative journalism or a broadcaster, reach out to the local press to you. You can also contact The 98% to seek help in being connected to journalists who have worked with us before,

CIISA
The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority exists to uphold and improve standards of behaviour across the creative industries, preventing and tackling misconduct. They are a much-needed step forward, and although they aren’t fully operational yet, it’s important to have them on your radar.

Gather Your Numbers

Reaching out to others who have had similar experiences can help you build your case and find community. With cases The 98% has helped with, collaboration among victims has been hugely important not only for making reports to strengthen the case, but in finding community, solidarity, and support.

  • You can post online without naming anyone but alluding to the situation.

  • Reach out privately to ex-clients, or simply keep your ear to the ground.

  • Document everything: screenshots, messages, social media posts, and logs of verbal incidents.

The more detailed your evidence, the harder it is for abusers to deny their patterns of behaviour. Most of the time, victims’ experiences share common elements, which helps paint a full picture. Remember, none of this is your fault.

Gather whatever evidence you can. If the behaviour is at all digital, screenshot everything. Not only the misconduct, but websites/social media pages/posts/messages of or from the person in question etc. It is highly likely that if things ‘come out’ publicly, the person you are reporting will go dark. So obtain as much contextual information as possible before it dissappears! Alternatively, if verbal, keep a log book of incidents, or somehow record (if you are able and safe to do so.)

Reporting is not commonly trauma informed, and the process can feel daunting. Try to have people around you for support. Seek emotional and mental health support if necessary. Keep a note of who you report to at specific organisations, and your correspondences...don’t be afraid to follow up. Also keep a note of reference/case numbers to pass on to other victims you may connect with, so that all reports can be logged together.

Be proud of yourself. You’re taking important steps, do not shy away from how well you’re doing. You didn’t deserve this behaviour and you’re doing what you can to keep others from being in your situation. Your courage and pro-activeness can inspire and empower others, as well as yourself!

Seek Emotional Support

This goes without saying, but experiencing misconduct as a creative can have all sorts of emotional fallout, and subsequent reporting can bring it all to the surface again. Not just the behaviour itself but the harsh reminder that this industry can be a toxic and dangerous place. There are people and places out there to support you, guide you through the process, and help minimise the internalised negative feelings that may come up.

  • Annemarie Lewis Thomas – online counselling for creatives in a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental environment. Initial sessions are free with no obligation.

  • Spotlight Members – 6 free counselling sessions per year via Wellbeing in the Arts.

  • For further mental health resources for creatives, click here.

Work Through the Fear to Find Empowerment

People in the creative arts who choose to abuse their positions of power to treat others badly or inappropriately do so because they feel confident their victims will be too afriad to speak out. They are playing the system to benefit themselves. You have the opportunity to reclaim that power. Instead of “I’m scared my career will be ruined” think... “they messed with the wrong person this time!!”

No one has the ability to entirely ruin one other person’s career, and if the perpetrator did start talking badly about you, they are only risking further pointing the finger at themselves...because YOU’RE the one with evidence or an experience of wrong doing, and they know that. It may seem like they have more power, but you own this narrative too.

Read articles and social media posts from others who have shared their experiences of industry misconduct, to remind yourself that there is light at the end of the tunnel and empowerment in speaking out. The people The 98% has worked with who have made reports, or even gone on to speak publicly, have felt powerful and grateful to have the weight lifted off their shoulders in passing their stories on to others to help carry the load. Along with the comfort of knowing they did all they could to avoid it happening to others.

Optional: Reporting to The 98%

If you think The 98% can help or should be aware of a situation, you can reach out. We monitor patterns and can provide advice on next steps. If you’re feeling scared to speak out or seek help, read this.

Finally…

If you have experienced mistreatment or abuse working in the entertainment of performing arts industries, please know that it was not your fault. You are not alone, and you deserve support, validation, and justice. Navigating these situations can feel overwhelming, but there are people and communities who want to listen and help.

Whether you choose to seek support, speak out, or simply take time to heal in your own way, know that your experience is valid and your wellbeing matters. You are more than what has happened to you, and you are not defined by someone else’s harm. You weren’t treated this way for any other reason than because someone made a deliberate choice to harm, manipulate, or control. It’s about their actions, not your worth. Abusers exploit vulnerabilities, not because of who you are, but because of who they are.

Please take care of yourself, and if you need help, reach out to trusted organizations or individuals who can offer guidance and support.

Written by Alexa Morden

Want to see, and share, this post on Instagram? Click here to see the post.

The 98% Blog also features a post written by actor, writer and director Joanne Thomson, who originally shared her advice on steps to take if having to work with an abuser on her blog joannethomson.co.uk. Read ‘5 Steps To Take If You’re Asked To Work With An Abuser’ HERE.

Alexa Morden
Next

Too Scared To Speak Up or Ask For Help? Read This.