Gavin and Stacey's Joanna Page stayed silent on groping to avoid 'fuss'

Gavin and Stacey's Joanna Page stayed silent on groping to avoid 'fuss'

Joanna Page, known for her role as Stacey Shipman in the popular TV series Gavin and Stacey, recently spoke out about a disturbing experience she had with a TV host who groped her during filming. Despite being warned beforehand that he was “very handsy,” Page chose to stay silent initially to avoid causing a scene. She mentioned that while there have been improvements in safety measures like intimacy coordinators, the acting industry still presents “too much opportunity” for harassment to occur.

Recalling the incident, Page shared how a producer had cautioned her about the host’s behavior, even suggesting that he would likely be interested in her. When the inappropriate touching took place on set, she attempted to brush it off with humor, likening the situation to being in an uncomfortable zoo experience. Page explained that due to the challenging nature of securing acting jobs, she did not feel empowered to speak up or file a complaint at the time.

In another instance shared by Page, she described an uncomfortable encounter with a well-known director who entered her dressing room while she was in a vulnerable state. Despite feeling exposed and uncomfortable, Page managed to politely deflect his advances, eventually causing him to leave. She emphasized the presence of “predators” in the industry, particularly targeting young and aspiring actresses who are eager for opportunities.

Page acknowledged the progress made in implementing safety measures like intimacy coaches and reporting systems, but expressed concern that harassment would persist due to the inherent risks within the profession. Reflecting on her own experiences, she noted that historically, women often chose to endure harassment silently in order to continue working. Despite not encountering such behavior in every job, Page highlighted the prevalence of such incidents in various work settings within the industry. If you have been affected by issues related to this story, you can seek support from the BBC Action Line

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