Another Hollywood Star comes forward on Sexual Harassment
It happens in every industry – sexual harassment, even sexual violence against women. Now, Canadian film Star Rachel McAdams joins a growing list of actresses and media professionals who are going public with the sexual harassment they’ve experienced in Hollywood and the television media business.
At the centre of the latest allegations is writer-director James Toback.
McAdams tells Vanity Fair when she was 21 years old, then a student in theatre school in Toronto, she auditioned for a role in the 2001 film “Harvard Man.” McAdams says following the audition Toback invited her to his hotel room to “rehearse.” It was there things turned quickly and sexually inappropriate.
Well known motivational speaker and journalist Pauleanna Reid, says, “I’ve been in male dominated boardrooms and meetings, and you can tell when you feel uncomfortable. It’s a women’s instinct.”
“When you feel that red flag, you should make an immediate exit, but sometimes it’s not that easy, especially when you want that role or the job,” Reid said.
Reid says she thinks it’s incredible to see more and more women coming forward to share their stories of sexual harassment, even sexual violence. Although, she doesn’t think the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace or other places of work will end, she hopes perpetrators will think twice.
“I don’t think sexual harassment against women will ever stop. But I hope perpetrators will see they can no longer get away with this – women are going to keep speaking out. It’s surprising to see all these actors in Hollywood who we’ve watched on screen for so long, and that they’ve been struggling behind the scenes with something so personal and heavy for so many years.” Reid thinks the rise of women now sharing their personal experiences with sexual misconduct is a sign of change, “I think all these women coming forward will have a ripple effect, and it’s empowering.”
Rachel McAdams also told People Magazine that sexual harassment in Hollywood “is pervasive,” and adds, “This has all got to stop. We need to start acknowledging what an epidemic this is, and what a deep-seated problem this is. I think we almost have to exhaust ourselves sharing our experiences before the rebuilding can begin. And hopefully we never slip back into this darkness again.”
Allegations against Toback first erupted on Sunday, when the Los Angeles Times reported 38 other women have accused him of alleged sexual misconduct. Toback, 72, has written many films including, “Tyson,” “Bugsy,” and has written for Vanity Fair. According to the Vanity Fair, article, “When reached by phone Toback said he had no comment on any of the allegations.”
Watch Context’s Sex, Power, and the Harvey Weinstein Scandal here (click)
With files from Susan Ponting
