A new UK regulator focused on behavior in the creative industries aims to deter harassment and abuse that has garnered global attention in recent years. The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) was established by British solicitor Heather Rabbatts, who also launched Time’s Up UK following the #MeToo movement. Scheduled to launch next year, it will be among the first of its kind worldwide, providing independent legal assistance to arts workers in TV, film, music, and theatre.

CIISA, in development since 2022, was hailed by the UK government and industry leaders as a crucial tool to empower victims and hold powerful entertainment industry abusers accountable. In June, around two dozen major TV and film stars, including Keira Knightley and Cara Delevingne, signed an open letter supporting CIISA’s mission and urging companies to fund the new standards body. The actors emphasized the need for an objective outside body for advice, mediation, and accountability in extreme cases of misconduct.

To finance its operations, CIISA has requested entertainment companies to contribute 0.1% of their annual UK turnover. Companies like Sky, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Viacom have already pledged support. CIISA will offer services such as early dispute resolution, mediation, victim advice, and navigating the justice system. It will also function as an advocacy group against abusive behavior in the creative industries.

The creative industries, heavily reliant on freelancers and with an uneven power distribution between executives and young talent, are prone to abusive behavior. Recent high-profile cases, from Harvey Weinstein’s downfall to Huw Edwards’ sentencing, have highlighted this issue. CIISA’s launch could encourage more industry professionals, particularly ethnic minorities and women, to speak out.

Research by British creative trade union BECTU reveals that 92% of UK creative workers have witnessed or experienced bullying or harassment at work, with one in five experiencing serious sexual assault. Other European countries are also addressing rampant abuse in the arts. In France, the Ministry of Culture established a hotline in 2018 for culture workers dealing with sexual harassment and assault. Since 2021, French audiovisual companies have been required to report their protocols for preventing and addressing sexual violence.

CIISA is currently setting up its governance and collecting funding, aiming to be operational next year.