Amid the ongoing uproar in the Malayalam film industry due to the Hema Commission report, calls have been made to ensure that similar issues, particularly regarding sexual harassment of actresses, are addressed in the Tamil film industry as well.
In response, the South Indian Artistes’ Association (SIAA) convened to discuss the matter and has issued several resolutions. One of the most significant decisions made is the imposition of a five-year ban on those found guilty of sexual misconduct. The resolutions passed during this meeting are as follows:
The SIAA-GSICC Committee was formed on April 22, 2019, in line with the Visakha Committee’s recommendations to ensure the safety of female members of the South Indian Artistes’ Association and to investigate complaints of sexual harassment.
Today, on September 4, 2024, a consultation meeting was held at the Naam Foundation Hall in T. Nagar at 11:30 AM. The meeting was chaired by SIAA President Nasser, Vice President Pucci S. Murugan, Treasurer Karthi, and Committee Chairperson Rohini, with members Suhasini, Khushbu, Lalitha Kumari, Kovai Sarala, and social activist Raji Gopi in attendance. Additionally, the committee decided to appoint a lawyer.
Resolutions:
1. In cases of sexual harassment, if the accused is found guilty after investigation, a recommendation will be made to the Producers’ Guild to impose a five-year ban on the individual from working in the film industry.
2. The committee will provide all necessary legal assistance to victims in filing complaints with the police.
3. Accused individuals will first receive a warning, followed by further actions if needed.
4. A dedicated phone number for reporting sexual harassment is already in place, and an email option for filing complaints has also been introduced.
5. Victims are advised to report their complaints through the committee instead of directly addressing the media.
6. If defamatory content about industry professionals or their families is posted on YouTube, affected individuals are encouraged to file a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police. The committee will fully support them in this matter.
7. The South Indian Artistes’ Association will directly oversee the actions of the committee.
These resolutions were outlined in the report to ensure a safer working environment for women in the Tamil film industry.