Sexual Abuse in Hollywood

For most, Hollywood is a dream. Upcoming actors, writers, editors, crave the fame, money, and success that comes with Hollywood. But, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Of course, you know this. The recent writer’s and actor’s strike proves the toxic work environment created; but how deep does it go? 

The mistreatment of actors on set isn’t a new phenomenon: dating back to 1921, the first prominent case of sexual abuse on set was between comedian Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, where he was accused of assaulting actress Virginia Rappe, who would die four years later due to her injuries in connection to Arbuckle. He would remain acquitted, which would be the trend with most assault cases in Hollywood against powerful men, but one hashtag would change that power dynamic forever; #Metoo. 

The #Metoo movement started in retaliation against the actions of Harvey Weinstein, an Academy Award-winning Hollywood film producer. It would spark a discussion of the sexual harassment women would face in Hollywood, with A-list actors and figures in the industry speaking out and protesting. #Metoo would go on to help terminate corrupt higher-ups as well as create safer spaces with more policy-based changes.

Unfortunately, though, Weinstein was not the only degenerate, powerful figure in Hollywood: Roman Polanski, who was charged with the raping of a 14-year-old girl, Kevin Spacey, who was charged with multiple accounts of assault but later acquitted, and Bill Cosby, who was convicted of sexual assault, imprisoned, and controversially freed. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. 

There has always been public knowledge of sexual assault and/or harassment in Hollywood. The “Casting Couch”, as an example, was the title given to the action of doing sexual acts to get work in the industry. While seeming to most as a cliché or inside joke in the industry, it was indeed the harsh reality of becoming more successful. Marilyn Monroe was even quoted as saying “I met them all. Some were vicious and crooked. But…you saw Hollywood with their eyes– an overcrowded brothel, a merry-go-round with beds for horses.” This instance of an actress with real talent being reduced to an object for the higher-up’s entertainment has been found everywhere in the industry from Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Lawrence to Judy Garland and Jane Fonda.

In a survey conducted by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, during their careers in Hollywood, nearly 94 percent of women surveyed experienced a form of harassment or assault. In this survey, it is also stated that only 28 percent said that change was implemented in their workplace after reporting the misconduct. Even here, at SJHS, 32 percent of people surveyed said that they were unaware of the mistreatment of workers behind closed doors in Hollywood. 

“The industry is pretty sexist and biased.” Maya Norton, 9, said. “Some directors are more genuine towards men in Hollywood than women. I know that (Jennette McCurdy) spoke out about her mistreatment.”

Salsabil Zahid, 10, added on. “In any industry, women have to really fight hard to have their voices heard. When you’re an adult, your work life becomes your whole life. If you have a boss that is not letting you live the life you want to live, it becomes a struggle for your family, your friends, and your health.”

The difficulties that women in the industry have to go through almost every day are disheartening. In these times, though, it is easier to come forward and get help– but not always. There is still much change that needs to happen.