Comedians stand up against workplace sexual harassment bbc.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bbc.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Comics to set up HR service to keep women on the circuit safe
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Comedians Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Nina Gilligan are setting up an HR service to keep women comics safe on the circuit.
The idea is venues will pay into the scheme to provide support and protection for workers and venues.
Ms Pritchard-McLean said harassment could range from “microaggressions” to “criminal activities”.
The plan is for the scheme to provide venues with training and a sexual harassment policy.
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Comics to set up HR service to keep women on the circuit safe bbc.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bbc.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Last modified on Mon 22 Feb 2021 06.18 EST
Irish comedian Ruth Hunter started standup in 2015. She immediately noticed âeveryday sexismâ â male comperes introducing performers by commenting on their breasts, all-male lineups â but was unsure how to challenge it.
Over the summer of 2020, now in Glasgow, Hunter followed the news as sexual harassment allegations against men in Irish and UK comedy were shared online. âSomeone who I thought was grand turned out to be a major creep and it unlocked something,â Hunter says. âYou might be threatening your own career by talking about this stuff, but I donât care. The stakes are too high.â