The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are "establishing a new code of conduct" for their members in the wake of the allegations made against Harvey Weinstein.
Harvey Weinstein
The Academy told members in an email sent around on Thursday (26.10.17) that they will be including "a policy for evaluating alleged violations and determining if action regarding membership is warranted" after the 65-year-old producer was accused of sexually assaulting a number of women over a 30 year period.
The email from Dawn Hudson, the Academy's CEO, reads: "Like you, the Academy's Board of Governors is concerned about sexual harassment and predatory behavior in the workplace, especially in our own industry. We believe our Academy has a role to play in fostering a safe and respectful atmosphere for the professionals who make motion pictures. To this end, we are taking steps to establish a code of conduct for our members, which will include a policy for evaluating alleged violations and determining if action regarding membership is warranted.
"Through our Membership and Administration Committee, we are consulting experts in law and ethics to gain a better understanding of what more we can and should be doing. Although we have no intention of functioning as an investigative body or moral court, we do have a right and duty as a voluntary association to maintain clear standards of workplace behavior for those we accept as members."
Hudson confirmed this "complex process" will start ahead of their meetings in December and January.
She concluded: "The Board of Governors will take up this issue at its next scheduled meetings in December and January. We recognise this is a complex process that will take some time, but we are determined to move forward without delay."
After the allegations were made against Weinstein, the Board of Governors decided to revoke his membership of the Academy.
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