Hollywood women launch powerful project to fight sexual harassment

Women in Hollywood have launched a powerful campaign to help fight sexual harassment in the film industry.

Over 300 actresses, directors, and writers are backing the new campaign, Time's Up, to help those who have been affected by sexual harassment and assault in Hollywood and elsewhere. Emma Stone, Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria, and Cate Blanchett are among those supporting the cause which will raise money to provide legal support for both female and male victims of harassment. An advert detailing the campaign's aims was published in the New York Times yesterday. It declared a "unified call for change from women in entertainment for women everywhere." https://www.instagram.com/p/Bda-URoAwvI/?hl=en&taken-by=evalongoria

"We have suppressed the violence and demeaning harassment for fear that we will be attacked and ruined in the process of speaking out. "We share your feelings of anger and shame. "We harbour fear that no one will believe us, that we will look weak, or that we will be dismissed."

The letter, that is aimed at "every woman... who has had to fend off sexual advances," also promises to address gender inequality and the pay gap that exists for women working in Hollywood and elsewhere. It comes after TIME magazine named 'The Silence Breakers' their person of the year for 2017. Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and others were repeatedly accused earlier this year of multiple counts of sexual assault over the course of their careers. Borne out of this was the #MeToo movement, which saw thousands take to social media to add their names to the ever-growing list of people who had suffered sexual assault and harassment. Time's Up has already raised over $13 million since its launch yesterday on January 1. The money will go towards funding legal support for victims.