Keira Knightley leads drive to fund bullying and harassment Hollywood watchdog
Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley are among the stars who have signed a letter urging the creative industries to support an independent body planning to tackle bullying and harassment
Prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley, have signed an open letter urging support for an independent body aimed at combating bullying and harassment within the sector.
The letter calls on firms to make their "final financial commitment" towards the establishment of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), a body designed to "uphold and improve standards of behaviour" in the industry.
Other notable signatories include Oscar-winning director Emerald Fennell, Cabaret star Cara Delevingne, Eternals actress Gemma Chan, and Skyfall's Naomie Harris, among 25 stars who endorsed the letter.
"We are calling on you to make your final commitment to the creation of CIISA, the new independent standards authority designed to keep our creative industries safe and to secure your support to this essential part of the ecosystem that is currently missing", the letter read. "The full financial ask is now out, and so we ask you finally to turn this idea into reality."
The letter further stated that many individuals within the music, film, and TV industry would have appreciated an "objective outside body" they could approach for advice or mediation when someone needs to be held accountable for the "bad behaviour or bad practices" that can occur behind the scenes.
"CIISA recognises that not everything can be solved with just one intervention but as bullying and harassment claims in the industry continue abound, we believe it is a very necessary part of a range of interventions driving for much-needed change", the letter added. The stars also said they hope the watchdog will become "the blueprint across the globe for keeping our creative industries safe".
Major British broadcasters ITV, Sky, BBC, Channel 4, and Channel 5 have already made initial payments to support CIISA. The idea for the watchdog was developed by Time's Up UK in 2021 in the wake of serious allegations coming to light within the creative industries in recent years.
The body plans to tackle issues within the creative industries by providing services including immediate advice, mediation, investigations, early dispute resolution and support navigating the criminal justice system for those affected. It also hopes to use the learning from investigations, trends and data, alongside the sector sharing expertise with one another, to prevent future issues.
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