Encouraged by executives, who are often the perpetrators, has sexual harassment become something those who work in the industry simply need to accept?
The media industry, shielded by its glamorous facade, has a darker side plagued by abuse and exploitation. High-level executives maintain a significant amount of power which enables them to commit acts of sexual assault that often goes unnoticed or unpunished, raising the question — how have structures in the industry allowed such behavior to thrive? Evaluating the mechanisms that allow for perpetrators to remain unaccountable is imperative to preventing future instances from occurring, as well as addressing the societal norms that create space for abuse.
Media executives possess a great deal of power, creating a dynamic in which subordinates such as interns, writers, actors, and even producers, appear to have their career beholden to executives. Fear of ostracization or retaliation from executives creates an impossible situation where employees feel pressured to tolerate and adhere to improper conduct.
This culture of silence permeates the media industry, as victims of sexual assault are silenced and colleagues who could otherwise serve as a witness instead choose self-preservation. The cycle of abuse is enabled at all levels. Even if individuals remain silent, they still risk losing professional opportunities and being blacklisted in their line of work. Victims who attempt to speak are slapped with a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), in which executives leverage their wealth to reach settlements that hide their abuse, as was the famous case where Stormy Daniels was paid $130,000 in hush money by President Donald Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen.
When victims do come forth with their experiences, they are subject to numerous obstacles in their search for justice; Complex legal proceedings, lack of physical evidence, and a general distrust for women that avoided reporting cases immediately or publicly. As long as companies prioritize their reputation over directly addressing any and all allegations, they enable the perpetrators as well as the culture of abuse.
In 2017, the explosive news regarding Harvey Weinstein’s predatory behavior emerged, as more than eighty women came forward with allegations. The global movement, labeled the #MeToo movement, outed Weinstein for his abuse of power in which he sexually harassed or assaulted countless women over decades with minimum punishment. His trial and eventual conviction painted a picture of the depth of systemic corruption within an industry where Weinstein evaded accountability for this long.
Yet New York’s highest court this April threw out Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, shocking the movement that has spurred in recent years. The court found that there was testimony against Weinstein during the trial that was not directly related to the case, and therefore created a “highly prejudicial” environment.
In another setback to the #MeToo movement, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request to hear an appeal regarding a Pennsylvania court’s decision to throw out Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction in 2022.
However, despite these two disappointing instances, there has been a growing demand for accountability among executives, as individuals who have been personally affected by harassment feel empowered to speak out and seek legal justice. Creating safeguards for whistleblowers within the industry is imperative, as victims have the ability to come forward while remaining anonymous if desired. Whether this be through legal support or through protection against retaliation from executives, systems must be put in place in order to end the cycle of abuse.
Brian Peck, the former dialogue coach, director, and producer on the children’s network Nickelodeon, was accused of sexual assault and convicted in 2003. Despite being charged for his crimes and registering as a sex offender for his abuse against then child actor, Drake Bell, Peck received over forty letters of support from family and friends directed to the president judge.
Following his release after a mere sixteen months in prison, Peck continued to work in the industry until 2019 and was even briefly hired by the renown children’s channel, Disney Channel. Brian Peck’s conduct was largely covered until the recent documentary, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, released in March, detailing Peck’s history of abuse along with their network’s enabling behavior.
In a similar story, Stephen McPherson, a television senior executive and former President of ABC Entertainment stepped down, almost overnight in what has been referred to as ABC’s biggest mystery, after a string of sexual harassment and abuse allegations were brought forward, alongside reports he kept victims quiet with the help of strong armed tactics and powerful lawyers. Known for being involved in the production of a string of famous shows, including Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Lost and Desperate Housewives, the allegations against Stephen McPherson disappeared almost as quickly as they arose. No apology was ever issued, no reparations were ever paid to the victims. The closest anyone got to an apology were excuses from Stephen McPherson’s lawyers, who called out the victims and insinuated they were indeed liars, a known tactic in sexual harassment cases. From CEO of CBS, Les Moonves to Chairman and CEO of Fox Roger Ailes, the never ending examples of top level executives are frightening especially when we consider that only a fraction of the exploitation has probably been exposed.
There is a level of tolerance in the media industry towards harassment, treated as a rite of passage that every underling must endure to rise to the top. Yet, once this behavior is normalized and excused, it creates an environment ripe for sexual misconduct. Not only does this allow higher-ups to evade legal action, but it results in a culture of victim-blaming for those subject to the harassment. This culture shames individuals from coming forward due to fear of public backlash and stigmatization.
The issue of sexual assault by executives is deeply rooted into the very role of power and culture of the industry. While the recent movements, documentaries, and exposés have shed some light on the dark underbelly of the industry, there are still substantial reforms that need to be made. In order to effectively address the issues in the media industry, there need to be structural changes that protect whistleblowers and victims, promote oversight, and implement meaningful training into the ways to foster a safe environment, while promising to hold abusers accountable.