Russell Brand reveals need for ‘critical intervention’ in UK creative sector – The Hollywood Reporter

The allegations made against Russell Brand – who has been accused of multiple sexual assaults in a major investigation – have further highlighted the need for an independent organization within the UK creative sector where concerns about behavior can be raised.

That’s according to the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), the proposed body that has been slowly coming together in recent years after its creation was launched by companies such as Time’s Up UK in the wake of various industry scandals involving sexual misconduct and bullying.

In a joint study by The times, The Sunday Times And Channel 4 showsFour women made allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse against Brand between 2006 and 2013, all of which he has denied.

“The creative industries are one of the few sectors that do not have an independent venue to privately raise conduct concerns,” CIISA said in a statement on Monday. “This weekend’s news further underscores the need for this crucial intervention. There are no legal or technical barriers to building CIISA. It’s just a matter of collective will.”

CIISA, which was initiated and funded by Time’s Up UK and whose interim CEO is former BFI executive Jen Smith, said it is currently in “advanced discussions” with the UK’s creative sectors and is “currently reviewing its services and structure Further developed, it will provide individuals working in the creative industries with a trusted point of contact for mediation, advice, dispute resolution and, most importantly, investigations.” It added that it was now “engaged in preparations for commissioning”, with further announcements to be made in be done shortly.

The idea of ​​a standards body in the UK has been widely discussed for several years and made headlines in 2021 when Michaela Coel spoke in her acceptance speech for Best Actress at the BAFTA TV Awards I can destroy youHe praised her work Intimacy Coordinator Ita O’Brien. Time’s Up UK later called for intimacy coordinators to “become mandatory on set” and said it was working with law firm Fieldfisher, which represented several of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers, to develop a new independent standards body for film, television and theater.