LOS ANGELES, Ca – SAG-AFTRA has announced a major milestone in its ongoing work to promote the on-set safety and dignity of its members.
SAG-AFTRA’s new “Standards and Protocols for the Use of Intimacy Coordinators” provides a framework for the use of professional, skilled intimacy coordinators – professionals who help performers and productions navigate highly sensitive scenes that feature nudity and simulated sex –throughout the entire production process. SAG-AFTRA believes that implementation of these standards and protocols will allow productions to run more efficiently, provide a safety net for performers and establish specialized support that empowers both cast and crew.
“It has been powerful to collaborate with our industry partners as we work to standardize the protocols for industry coordinators. These protocols and guidelines will help to normalize and encourage the use of intimacy coordinators in productions, therefore, ensuring the safety and security of SAG-AFTRA members while they work. Intimacy coordinators play a unique role by advocating for performers’ safety and ensuring that a production’s creative needs are met,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris.
SAG-AFTRA has led the conversation on eliminating sexual harassment in the entertainment industry through strategic partnerships with industry allies and by pushing for stronger legislation. In 2018, the union established the Four Pillars of Change
to expand existing intervention tools and survivor support services. In 2019 it issued its Code of Conduct to uphold professional standards and address the potentially toxic culture and power imbalances that contribute to workplace harassment.
“These guidelines directly address the problem of sexual harassment on sets,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White.
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 members in the entertainment industry.
