Ministers are weighing new legislation to force the entertainment industry to improve safeguards for women and children following the conviction of Russell Brand and recent allegations involving David Walliams.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to convene with industry leaders from television, film, publishing, and potentially sport next week. While the government prefers that these sectors adopt voluntary measures to prevent abuse and harassment, officials have indicated a willingness to intervene if internal protections remain inadequate.
The scrutiny follows an investigation by the Guardian and ITV News detailing accusations that Walliams, a television personality and author, used his status to target young women for sexual encounters. Walliams, 55, denies all allegations. The report was published after a court dismissed his attempt to secure an injunction to prevent its release.
Government officials confirmed the expectation remains for industry-led reform. “The instinct is that Lisa would like the industries to show they are about to sort this out themselves, but we are not squeamish about stepping in if that does not happen,” one official stated.
One legislative option being considered is a mandate for companies to join the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA). The body is designed to address bullying and harassment through confidential whistleblowing channels.
The push for tighter regulation coincides with a broader debate on how powerful figures utilize the legal system. Justice Secretary Alex Norris stated on Wednesday that he acknowledged concern regarding the use of injunctions and non-disclosure agreements to silence accusers.
“This has been a source of conversation and engagement in parliament for a long time but brought into relief recently, particularly the way in which powerful men used the system in order to silence people,” Norris told the House of Lords justice and home affairs committee.
The government’s stance has been reinforced by the recent imprisonment of Russell Brand, who was sentenced to more than 10 years on Monday for rape and sexual assault. Louise Casey, who is leading an inquiry into sexual abuse grooming gangs, described the case as an example of the “frankly appalling” way individuals exploit power to attack women and girls.
Casey argued that the legal threshold for prosecuting sexual offenses involving minors should be re-examined. “Those are the sorts of things I think that would really show the country that we are going to protect children,” she said during an interview with Sky News.
Jess Phillips, former Home Office minister for domestic violence, said that the Walliams case was an exception because the injunction was successfully challenged. “There are many, many people in this country silenced by injunctions, silenced by non-disclosure agreements,” she told the BBC. “That is not new news.”
Will the government definitely pass new laws?
Ministers currently prefer voluntary action from the entertainment industry. However, government officials have signaled that they are prepared to introduce legislation if industries fail to demonstrate sufficient progress in strengthening protections for vulnerable people.
Which organizations will meet with the Culture Secretary?
It is not yet known which specific organizations are scheduled to meet with Lisa Nandy next week, or what the exact nature of the government’s requests will be.
What is the role of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority?
The CIISA is an organization established to tackle bullying and harassment within the creative sector. One legislative proposal currently under consideration is making it mandatory for companies to sign up for its services, which include confidential whistleblowing support.