Sexual harassment is a shared responsibility, not the burden of those who have been harassed. Whether it’s in an office, online, at a client meeting or at an industry event such Cannes, no one should have to work in an environment that allows unwanted sexual attention, behaviour, or abuse of power.
Yes, Cannes is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate remarkable creativity, learn a lot, and have fun while doing it, but that fun should not come at the expense of others.
That’s why we partnered with Cannes Lions and Wildstorm PR to create ‘Celebrating safety in Cannes’ - an invaluable guide to help everyone attending Cannes to understand the issues around sexual harassment. The advice goes beyond Cannes though. It applies anywhere outside of the office.
Read on for some summarised guidelines designed to provide you and your teams with advice and actionable steps. For full details, including more in-depth explanations, examples, and legal considerations, please refer to the complete guide. Keep the guide by your side; it will provide invaluable help and information throughout Cannes and beyond.
Understanding sexual harassment
Everybody needs to understand what constitutes sexual harassment. As defined by the Equality Act 2010, sexual harassment is ‘unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that violates a worker’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment’. The crucial word in the definition is ‘unwanted.’ This can look like sexual comments, promises in return for sexual favours, unsolicited invitations, sharing inappropriate images, and persistent communication.
Key points for everyone attending Cannes
Before Cannes
- Know your company policies: familiarise yourself with your company’s policies on sexual harassment and safety procedures for Cannes, including emergency contacts and reporting mechanisms.
- Educate yourself: learn about the impact of sexual harassment as well as the behaviour involved. Use resources like the timeTo code of conduct for guidance.
- Prepare: save local emergency contacts in your phone, and learn the difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault to help you report behaviour in the right way.
During Cannes
- Practice self-awareness: be mindful of your behaviour and respect boundaries. These include refraining from touching someone without their explicit consent, making sexualised comments, or inviting someone back to your hotel room.
- Be a supportive ally: look out for other people. If you notice inappropriate behaviour, address it calmly if you feel safe to do so.
- Stay vigilant: trust your instincts. If something feels uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation and seek assistance if needed.
- Document and report: keep a record of any incidents, including dates, times, locations, and descriptions. Report harassment to the appropriate authorities or festival organisers.
After Cannes
- Participate in debriefs: provide feedback to your manager and suggest improvements for future events. Follow up with affected individuals to ensure they receive appropriate support.
- Ongoing training: participate in or suggest your teams take timeTo training on sexual harassment. Encourage your organisation to stay proactive on the topic.
- Promote accountability: help to build a respectful workplace culture and hold everyone accountable for their actions. Report any concerning behaviour according to company procedures.
Remember, creating a respectful and safe environment is a collective effort. Your role is crucial in making Cannes Lions a harassment-free festival.
We encourage everyone to read this guide, to be aware of their behaviour, and to support each other in making Cannes Lions a positive experience for all.
