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Further abusers will surface until creative sector becomes a safer place for women
The Guardian
|August 23, 2025
The culture of the television and film industries needs to change to protect women from the actions of sexual predators, say women who gave evidence against Noel Clarke.
"Noel's behaviour was an open secret, everyone knew. He didn't work alone. Those who enabled and protected him should be accountable," said Penelope, a pseudonym for an actor who filmed a sex scene with Clarke.
"He found a way to operate as he did because there is a culture across these industries of actors not being protected while at work and having no way of whistleblowing," she told the Guardian.
Unless creative industries actively safeguard women against sexual assault, harassment and abuse, "new Noel Clarkes will surface", she said.
"I hope that there will be a cultural shift to prevent further sexual predators finding a place in the UK TV, film and theatre industries."
This story is from the August 23, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
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