Comedy HR group reports dozens of cases

Reports of sexual harassment in the live comedy industry have more than doubled during the Edinburgh Fringe.

Safety advocates at Get Off Live Comedy! received 31 reports of inappropriate behaviour in the first 12 days of the festival. Normally they see 10 to 15 cases per month.

Complaints include persistent unsolicited online contact, inappropriate, unwanted and repeated touching, sending unsolicited sexual images and coercion –  specifically offering gigs in return for sexual favours.

The group adds that newer acts appear to be particularly vulnerable  to such harassment.

A spokesperson said:  ‘A festival creates a cocktail of risk factors in which sexual harassment is known to increase: Late night working, alcohol, shared accommodation are just a few examples. There are others including power imbalances within the industry and a lack of clear and transparent and safe working practices.

‘Nobody should be expected to silence an alarm regarding their own personal safety in favour of safeguarding their career. Where abuse and harassment does take place, it is an employer’s legal and moral responsibility to address it. We are here [at the Fringe] to celebrate, to work, to party but ultimately to be safe.’

Get Off Live Comedy! is an independent not-for-profit  human resources body set up by the industry, with a professional HR specialist to support complaints. They also provide specialist training in risk management.

The report comes ahead of a fundraised for the organisation to be held at the Gilded Balloon on Tuesday. Acts taking part include founder Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Ivo Graham, Sikisa and Harriet Dyer.  Tickets

Published: 19 Aug 2023