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9
min read
Sexual Harassment in the Film Industry: Female Workers Become Targets
Writer
Reza Rizaldy
Published on
The shadow of sexual violence in the film world does not only haunt artists as in the #metoo era. Female film crews in the production line of film or video production industries such as videographers, production designers, and makeup & wardrobe are at risk of sexual violence. The root of the problem lies in the fact that this creative industry is dominated by men who are still patriarchal and have weak human resource management.
Requirements to Be Art Director: Must ‘Sleep Over’ with the Producer
El (a pseudonym) has experienced sexual violence three times while pursuing a career in production house. The first case of sexual harassment that El experienced was when she was 19 years old.
The perpetrator was a video editing mentor at El's internship who she had trusted and admired. The perpetrator sent non-consensual intimate images.
“No context at all, suddenly he asked me what my fetish was. When I ignored it, that night he asked to exchange nude photos. I refused, but he sent 7 dick pics. I was shocked and I immediately slammed my phone,” said El.
After the incident, El tried to report her colleague's behavior to the company's HR. The result was unexpected; the company immediately fired the perpetrator dishonorably.
Another opportunity came, she was invited to be a crew production designer in another production house for a web series. In one team, El was the only woman. While El was sleeping at the shooting location, one of the 'bosses' of that production house came and lay next to her, whispering in her ear, “Let’s just be my wife,” said the perpetrator.
It did not stop there; the perpetrator even kissed El's forehead without consent. El fought back, and the perpetrator left.
The next day, El told the producer, the person who invited her to work, about the incident that night. The producer was surprised that her work partner would do such a thing.
As a result of the incident, El grew closer to her producer, someone she trusted and felt safe with because he knew about the case affecting her.
Once again, El got a chance to advance her career in the film world. Her producer offered El to work as a production designer on a film project.
Unexpectedly, one of the requirements to become an art director was that El had to ‘sleep over’ with her producer, someone she had trusted. El's trust in her producer was gone.
Related to Power Relations in Work Status
El had experienced psychological trauma that required her to frequently visit a psychologist for recovery. She had considered reporting the case to law enforcement, but ultimately did not because she feared it would be considered trivial. In the last two incidents, El could not do much to report to the HR of the production house. This was due to El's status as a freelance worker in a project.
Indeed, the imbalance of power relations in work status is one of the factors leading to sexual violence in the workplace. 10% of workers survivors of sexual harassment while WfH (work from home) are freelancers (Never Okay Project & SAFEnet, 2020).
El is not alone; sexual harassment in the film industry is like an iceberg. Female artists and crew are often easy targets within this boys club in the film industry. This industry is still dominated by men, leading to a predominantly patriarchal culture.
If Reporting Can Cost Honor
Actor and singer Mian Tiara once experienced a bitterly similar experience in the film industry. She faced harassment from a senior actor during the shooting process. While doing a reading of the script with that actor, he deliberately grabbed her thigh. Mian was shocked and felt uncomfortable during filming.
Source: Tweet @miantiara (2020)
Initially, Mian did not want to discuss this because she feared it would jeopardize her film career. However, she realized that if she remained silent, this cycle of violence would continue in the creative industry. She decided to tweet about her case on Twitter and network with other actors and media colleagues.
One of the actors who helped Mian was Hannah Al Rashid. Hannah was concerned about the cycle of violence in the film industry. She was aware that the handling of such cases is still weak in the film community. When victims report incidents, there is a fear that actors will lose their careers midway.
“These people are strong and there are no protocols, so we use a warning system,” said Hannah, quoted from tirto.id (2020).
Almost All Female Film Activists Experience Sexual Violence
Sexual violence in the film industry is not a trivial complaint from female actors. Research by USA Today and The Creative Coalition, Women in Film and Television (2018) found that 94% of 843 women working in the entertainment world have experienced sexual violence. Not only actors but all production lines, including scriptwriters, producers, editors, and supporting crew.
What forms does sexual violence take? Certainly, various types can be found. Comments or porn jokes are the most commonly committed acts, with 87% of respondents reporting they have experienced it. 75% of respondents have witnessed immoral behavior, and 69% have been sexually touched.
There are also cases of harassment taking the form of spontaneous nudity commands during auditions. 10% of respondents admitted to experiencing this.
Source: How common is sexual misconduct in Hollywood?, USA Today, 2020
From this research, it can be inferred that very few women report their cases. Only 25% of victims report sexual violence to the authorities. Only 28% of those reports are followed up upon and lead to changes in the working system.
How can victims not report? The fear of career stagnation is just one reason; more severely, 40% of them do not trust the system for handling sexual violence in the film industry. Most film industries do not have human resources departments, and there are no protection mechanisms. The majority of film activists are contract workers for a single film project.
Forced to Engage in Sexual Activities for Career Advancement
“Because I get work through client referrals, I’m reluctant to speak about sexual violence because I'm afraid of losing clients,” said one respondent in the USA Today report.
Even more tragically, 20% of women are forced to engage in sexual activities to advance their careers in the film world. 65% of respondents know of film activists who have advanced careers due to sexual transactions.
Who are the perpetrators? Similar to a broken record, it's always the same. The perpetrators are men who exploit their power in film. 29% of perpetrators are directors, agents, producers, and other positions of power. 24% are other colleagues, and 20% are supervisors. Among famous actors, the percentage reaches 10%. Essentially, anyone can potentially be a perpetrator within this boys club.
Boys Club and Toxic Work Systems
The film industry has been predominantly male for years, from conceptualizers to crew members. This was evidenced by research conducted by a British screenwriter in 2014 (The Guardian, 2014). Between 1994 and 2014, 75% of male workers were involved in the making of 2,000 famous films. Female workers only accounted for 22% of film production.
The 22% representation of women in film is also very insignificant. Most of them are placed in makeup, wardrobe, and casting departments, which are closely associated with femininity. Women in visual effects make up 17.5%, 16% in the music department, and 5% in camerawork and electrical work.
In the minimally physical creative lines, women are few. From surveys of workers in 2,000 films, female film editors comprise only 13%, writers 10%, and directors 5%.
Stephen also feels uneasy about gender inequality in the film industry and hopes for more female representation in the future. “I don’t think film institutions are sexist, I just can’t believe this issue has become a conversation, and I hope the gender separation in films will change,” he said, quoted from The Guardian.
The Stronghold of Male Dominance in the Film Industry
This male dominance creates an environment that is very much a 'boys club'. Can you imagine if a hangout is filled with men and only one woman is present? You can guess the jokes and topics of conversation that are highly likely to be lewd, sidelining the existence of that woman. This is reinforced by the statement of American legal advisor Emily Martin. “This is a male-dominated industry, which always poses a significant risk for harassment,” she said, quoted from Huffington Post (2018).
Women’s vulnerability to being victims of harassment is exacerbated by toxic work systems. The work systems in most film industries, both in Indonesia and Hollywood, remain chaotic.
For instance, in Hollywood, there are many stakeholders involved in the making of a film. There are funding studios, production houses writing scripts, animation, audio, or visual effects production houses, and crew suppliers for camera, makeup, and other support divisions. Imagine in one project, there are several people in charge whose bosses differ as well. The bond among workers is weak, which may lead to a passing of responsibility regarding privacy issues.
American entertainment and media analyst, Kate Fortmueller, argues that although the crew is tightly controlled within a project, it does not guarantee individual security due to the large number of parties involved. Moreover, the recruitment system for film workers is based on word of mouth, thus prioritizing personal reputation and making sabotage likely to occur.
“The current industry structure, which values flexibility, competitiveness, and the ability to find newer and cheaper partners and employees, is at odds with any kind of clear reporting structure,” she stated.
Another toxic system, according to film analyst Adrian Jonathan Pasaribu, is the recruitment of volunteers and interns. Of course, if these volunteers are employed and guided well, the results will be beneficial. However, in many cases, volunteers, the majority of whom are film students, are exploited by their mentors or supervisors for sexual purposes. They are promised permanent work on the condition that they must satisfy their mentors sexually.
“So what often happens is when there is a power relationship, almost all of the victims are women,” Adrian remarked in NOBAR NOP issue on Sexual Harassment in the Film Industry (4/7/2020).
American legal observers, Martin, stated that labor unions also do not help much if the leadership's commitment is weak. Even though there are various laws to protect workers' rights, it can be weak if people only focus on the mindset of just get it done and released. “Assuming your labor union behaves properly, it definitely can make rights far more tangible and enforceable,” she emphasized in Huffington Post (The Huffington Post, 2018).
References:
Adam, A. (2020, February 16). Sexual Harassment in the Film Industry and Mian Tiara's Clear Voice. tirto.id. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://tirto.id/pelecehan-seksual-di-industri-film-dan-suara-nyalang-mian-tiara-ey1Q.
Fallon, Claire & Emma Gray. (2018, 15 March). For Women Behind the Camera, Sexual Harassment is Part of the Job. The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2021, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/women-film-crew-member-sexual-harassment_n_5aa81eeee4b001c8bf147bf8.
Petersen, H. E. (2014, 22 July). Gender Bias in the Film: 75% Blockbusters Crew are Male. The Guardian. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/22/gender-bias-film-industry-75-percent-male.
Puente, M., & Kelly, C. (2018, February 23). How common is sexual misconduct in Hollywood? USA Today. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/02/20/how-common-sexual-misconduct-hollywood/1083964001/.
Writer: Reza Rizaldy
Editor: Muhammad Firhat
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Kecewa dengan respons perusahaan, Wine akhirnya memilih resign dengan membawa trauma jangka panjang yang membuatnya terus menyalahkan diri sendiri dan sulit memercayai orang lain.
Gambar: Scene Wine resign
Trauma terbesar terkadang bukan berasal dari pelaku, melainkan dari sistem yang tidak percaya, meremehkan, dan meninggalkan korban sendirian.
Dampak institutional betrayal pada individu:
Kehilangan rasa percaya, pada institusi saat ini maupun yang akan datang, pada rekan kerja, maupun lingkungan sosial yang lain.
Gangguan kesehatan mental yang lebih parah, seperti Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depresi, disosiasi, dan gangguan kecemasan.
Korban enggan mencari bantuan (psikologis, medis, atau hukum) untuk menolong dirinya sendiri..
Victim-Blaming dalam Proses Investigasi
Terkadang perusahaan tidak sadar akan budaya victim blaming yang meradang di lingkup organisasinya. Tanpa sengaja, budaya itu terus dikembangkan, hingga melukai korban, saksi, dan pekerja rentan lainnya.
Kalimat seperti:
"Mungkin dia nggak bermaksud seperti itu.", "Kamu yakin? Mungkin salah paham"
"Kenapa baru dilaporkan sekarang?", "Dia selama ini tidak pernah bermasalah."
Menjadi kalimat-kalimat ‘sederhana’ yang dampaknya destruktif bagi karyawan dan bagi proses pelaporan.
Gambar: scene Wine dan Korn saat melapor ke HR (Sumber YouTube GMMTV)
Hasil riset ILO Indonesia dan Never Okay Project tahun 2022 menunjukkan dari 832 korban kekerasan di tempat kerja, hanya 10,9% korban yang melaporkan kejadiannya ke SDM/Manajemen dengan berbagai alasan.
45,61% korban merasa bahwa SDM/Manajemen tidak akan melakukan apapun.
37,79% khawatir tidak akan ada yang percaya.
31,04% takut akan disalahkan.
Data ini mengonfirmasi realitas pahit di dunia kerja, yakni ketika sistem pendukung internal justru berubah menjadi ruang yang menghakimi, korban dipaksa memilih untuk bungkam demi menyelamatkan sisa rasa aman mereka.
Membangun Ruang Pelaporan Berperspektif Korban
Dalam menanggapi kasus kekerasan seksual di tempat kerja, organisasi harus mampu menegaskan identitas keberpihakan pada korban.
Perusahaan dalam proses pelaporan berperan untuk mencari fakta, BUKAN menguji kredibilitas korban.
Apa yang perlu dilakukan dalam merespon laporan?
Dengar tanpa menghakimi.
Terima laporan dengan empati, tanpa menyalahkan atau menyudutkan korban. Hindari respon skeptis, seperti "Kamu yakin?" "Mungkin maksudnya tidak begitu." yang dapat meruntuhkan ruang aman psikologis korban.Prioritaskan dampak pada korban, bukan niat pelaku
Seringkali perusahaan lebih berfokus pada membedah motif atau niat pelaku daripada kerugian psikologis nyata yang dialami korban.Bangun proses investigasi yang aman dan independen
Pastikan mekanisme pelaporan rahasia dan bebas konflik kepentingan. Penyelidikan sebaiknya dilakukan oleh tim independen agar korban dan saksi bisa bercerita tanpa merasa terancam.Lindungi pelapor dari reviktimisasi
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Tempat kerja yang aman tidak hanya dibangun dengan kebijakan, tetapi juga dengan keberanian untuk mendengarkan dan berpihak pada korban. Karena pada akhirnya, organisasi dinilai bukan dari seberapa sedikit laporan yang muncul, melainkan dari bagaimana mereka meresponsnya.
Apakah tempat kerjamu sudah menjadi ruang yang aman untuk bersuara?
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Sojin yang resah tidak tinggal diam. Ia memutuskan untuk melaporkan kasusnya. Mulai dengan melapor pada manajer tim. Namun solusi yang ditawarkan adalah dengan memindahkan Sojin.
Buku Cho Nam Joo - Her Name Is…
Menurut Sojin tidak seharusnya korban yang “melarikan diri” harusnya pelaku yang dipindahkan atau bahkan dikeluarkan. Sojin lalu mengirim keluhan dan laporan resmi ke divisi SDM.
Sayangnya, alih-alih dibantu, Sojin justru disudutkan dan disalahkan dalam proses tersebut. Bahkan ia dipersulit oleh pelaku yang adalah atasannya, dan dikucilkan di kantor.
Sojin meneruskan perjuangannya sampai ke Kementerian Tenaga Kerja, bahkan sudah mendapat surat tembusan agar perusahaan menghukum pelaku. Tapi tidak dilakukan oleh perusahaan.
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Hasil riset Never Okay Project di tahun 2022 memiliki beberapa temuan kunci. Salah satunya menyebutkan bahwa hanya 10,94% korban yang berani melapor ke Manajemen atau divisi SDM kantor.
Sementara sebanyak 42,55% memilih untuk diam saja dan tidak melapor kejadian kekerasan dan pelecehan seksual yang mereka alami di lingkungan kerja.
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Angka-angka ini adalah alarm keras. Ketika mayoritas korban merasa lebih aman untuk diam daripada melapor, itu tandanya ada yang salah dengan sistem pendukung di tempat kerja tersebut.
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Jadi Saksi yang Berani Beraksi Seperti Jung Da-Jung di Drakor 18 Again
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Mengapa Saksi Sering Memilih Diam?
Meskipun angka saksi ini sangat tinggi, kenyataannya ada banyak juga saksi yang memilih diam. Mengapa demikian?
Menjadi saksi atau bystander memiliki beban mental tersendiri. Beberapa alasan utama mengapa saksi enggan melapor atau bertindak antara lain:
Takut kariernya akan terhambat atau dikucilkan oleh lingkungan kantor.
Merasa manajemen tidak akan mengambil tindakan tegas meski sudah melapor.
Takut dianggap terlalu ikut campur.
Keberanian Itu Bukan Fiksi
Tim Never Okay Project menemukan salah satu scene menarik dalam drakor 18 Again (2020). Scene ketika Jung Da-Jung (Kim Ha-Neul) melihat senior kantornya diam-diam merekam rok rekannya sesama karyawan magang. Kejadian yang berlangsung di dalam lift itu mengejutkan Da-Jung.
Tanpa berpikir panjang, ia langsung memelintir tangan pelaku dan memaksanya keluar dari lift. Da-Jung juga mengkonfrontasi pelaku untuk membuka ponselnya untuk diperiksa. Setelah bukti-bukti dipastikan, pelaku tersebut kemudian digiring keluar oleh polisi untuk diamankan.
Apakah aksi berani seperti ini fiksi dan hanya bisa dilakukan di dalam adegan-adegan film? Tentu, tidak.
Menjadi Saksi yang Berani Beraksi
Kamu juga bisa menjadi saksi yang berani beraksi. Tapi, sebelum itu, ada hal yang lebih penting untuk diutamakan, yakni keamanan dan keselamatan diri.
Merespons kekerasan dan pelecehan seksual di depan mata tidak selalu harus menggunakan cara yang Da-Jung lakukan. Berikut adalah beberapa hal yang dapat kamu lakukan.
Jika kamu rasa situasinya aman, kamu bisa mengkonfrontasi dan mengedukasi pelaku.
Jika kamu rasa situasinya tidak aman, ini yang bisa kamu lakukan:
Saat kejadian:
Alihkan perhatian atau topik pembicaraan.
Minta rekan kerja senior untuk menegur pelaku.
Dokumentasikan kejadian tersebut.
Setelah kejadian:Tenangkan dan tanyakan keadaan korban.
Tawarkan bantuan pada korban.
Jadi saksi pada pelaporan ke atasan atau HR.
Gunakan hasil dokumentasi untuk bukti pelaporan.
Pantau perkembangan laporan.
Cerita Jung Da-Jung dalam drama mungkin fiksi, namun tantangan yang dihadapi para pekerja di Indonesia adalah nyata. Menciptakan ruang kerja yang aman bukan hanya tugas manajemen, tapi juga tanggung jawab kita sebagai saksi yang berani beraksi.
It’s Not A Fiction. Jangan biarkan lingkungan kerja kita menjadi tempat yang tidak aman bagi siapapun.
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