70% of Irish arts workers experience harm in the workplace, survey shows

Minister for Culture Catherine Martin with Siobhan Bourke, right, and Jane Daly, left, co-directors of the Irish Theatre Institute, and research lead Dr Ciara L Murphy, ahead of launching Speak Up: A Call For Change Report. Picture: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

A new report on the workplace experiences of those in the arts sector has revealed a “culture of acquiescence and acceptance”, as 70% of those surveyed indicated they had experienced some type of harm.

'Speak Up: A Call for Change' reveals the findings of a survey commissioned by the Irish Theatre Institute of more than 1,100 arts workers. Respondents said within their work lives they experienced bullying (51%), humiliation (43%), harassment (23%), sexual harassment (21%), sexual assault (6%) and assault (4%).