Reports to the service will help CIISA better understand the issues affecting workers and ultimately inform recommendations to industry leaders and policymakers. Image credit: Shutterstock.
The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) has launched a new confidential online reporting service, giving workers across the music, theatre, film and TV sectors an independent route to raise whistleblowing concerns.
As an officially designated whistleblowing body, people can report concerns about experiences that relate to the CIISA Standards – a set of expectations setting out minimum standards of behaviour expected across the UK’s creative industries – and which may have a wider impact on others. This includes harassment, discrimination, victimisation and other harmful practices.
The new service allows reports to be made in confidence, with CIISA taking careful steps to protect the identity of individuals who come forward.
Building a clearer picture of harmful behaviour
Following a soft launch of the service in June, CIISA has already received around 30 reports from individuals and organisations across the film, TV, theatre and music industries, with further reports expected now that the portal has officially launched.
Reports will be used to gather evidence and identify patterns of harmful behaviour across the creative industries, helping to better understand the issues affecting workers and ultimately inform recommendations to industry leaders and policymakers.
Commenting on the launch, Musicians' Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl said: "We are pleased to see CIISA is now able to receive reports from survivors and build up a picture of behaviours and conduct that persist across the creative industries. Since we established our MU Safe Space service in 2019, we have unfortunately received a constant stream of reports.
"Freelancers are particularly vulnerable and need places they can go to safely report and access support. We hope CIISA's work will make cultural change and act as a deterrent, as well as helping affected individuals."
Specialist services for welfare, safeguarding and expert advice
Alongside the launch of the reporting portal, CIISA has established partnerships with a range of specialist organisations that can provide pastoral support to those who come forward. These include whistleblowing charity Protect, sexual violence charity The Survivors Trust, and sector-specific organisations including Help Musicians, the Film and TV Charity and Wellbeing in the Arts.
The Musicians' Union continues to work closely with CIISA and other industry partners to ensure workers can access appropriate support where needed. Explore our guidance and resources to help musicians feel safe in the workplace.
Find out more
Individuals and organisations can access the new reporting service through the CIISA website.
Reports are handled confidentially, and individuals may be entitled to additional protections under UK whistleblowing legislation when raising concerns.