Women in Hollywood band together in anti-harassment initiative

Hundreds of actresses and female agents, writers, directors and other entertainment industry leaders on Monday announced the creation of an initiative to combat systemic sexual harassment, after a wave of misconduct allegations rocked the entertainment and political worlds in 2017.

The initiative, called “Time’s Up,” includes the creation of a legal defense fund to help blue-collar workers like janitors, nurses and factory employees protect themselves from sexual misconduct and report it, The New York Times reported.

The initiative also calls for legislation to penalize companies that tolerate harassment, and suggests women attending the Golden Globes wear black in solidarity with victims.

“The clock has run out on sexual assault, harassment, and inequality in the workplace. Let’s do something about it,” the initiative’s website states.

The initiative includes Reese Witherspoon, Natalie Portman, Shonda Rhimes, Emma Stone, Eva Longoria, America Ferrera and Ashley Judd, who last year recounted being sexually harassed by film mogul Harvey Weinstein.

The organization on Monday published a full-page ad in The New York Times and La Opinion, a Spanish-language newspaper.

“We want all survivors of sexual harassment, everywhere, to be heard, to be believed, and to know that accountability is possible,” its letter states.

“Time’s Up” follows the #MeToo movement of 2017, which saw numerous men and women share stories of sexual misconduct.

Many of the revelations led to the firing or resignation of high-profile politicians and celebrities, including Weinstein, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), Matt Lauer, Louis C.K., Kevin Spacey, Mark Halperin, Charlie Rose and others.