Workers in the U.K.'s film, TV, music and theater industries can now report harassment, abuse and discrimination through a new whistleblowing portal from the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA).
CIISA is an officially designated whistleblowing body. People can bring it concerns about experiences that relate to the CIISA Standards and may have a wider impact on others. Reports stay confidential, and CIISA says it will take "careful steps to protect the identity of individuals who come forward."
The portal follows a soft launch in June. After its recognition in Parliament as an official whistleblowing entity, CIISA received around 30 reports as of Oct. 1. It now expects that number to climb.
The timing is hard to miss. Russell Brand is currently in court in the U.K., charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. Reports and investigations into the allegations describe a culture of fear and intimidation, built on Brand's fame and influence, that let the alleged behavior continue for many years.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the government will back CIISA "every step of the way." She added that "safety at work is non-negotiable" and said she expects employers across the creative industries to work with CIISA. CIISA chair Helena Kennedy KC called the launch "an important milestone for CIISA and the creative industries."
Common questions
Who can use the new U.K. whistleblowing portal?
- Workers in the U.K.'s film, TV, music and theater industries can use the new portal. It's run by the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, or CIISA. People can bring concerns about harassment, abuse and discrimination, as long as the experiences relate to the CIISA Standards and may have a wider impact on others.
Are reports to the CIISA portal kept confidential?
- Yes, reports stay confidential. CIISA says it will take "careful steps to protect the identity of individuals who come forward." CIISA is an officially designated whistleblowing body, recognized in Parliament. The article doesn't say how identities are shielded, only that the authority has made that commitment.
How many reports has CIISA received so far?
- CIISA had received around 30 reports as of Oct. 1. That count came after a soft launch of the portal in June and the group's recognition in Parliament as an official whistleblowing entity. With the portal now fully launched, CIISA expects that number to climb.
