Motion Picture Academy Board Approves New Standards Of Conduct Following Flurry Of Sexual Abuse Allegations
The Motion Picture Academy Board has outlined new standards of conduct amid a slew of sexual abuse allegations in Hollywood. The board of governors is expected to enforce the new standards as soon as possible.
On Wednesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences sent a letter to all of its members where the new rules have been outlined. A day earlier, the Academy's 54-member board of governors approved the motion.
Members of the Academy convened a special task force that consulted with professors, human resource personnel and sexual harassment experts since October.
Harvey Weinstein Gets Expelled From The Academy
The task force was created after the Academy also decided to expel mega-producer Harvey Weinstein following several allegations of sexual abuse and harassment.
Following his expulsion, the Academy released a statement saying that any member of the group who abuses their power or influence in a questionable or indecent manner will be removed from the Academy without further notice or explanation.
The Academy also reiterated their stand on all forms of abuse, harassment, and discrimination and said that they will not tolerate any of it.
Some of the Academy's board of governors include Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg. They are expected to lead the implementation of the new standards.
Meanwhile, the new standards state that any member of the Academy who violates the new rules may receive disciplinary action given to them by the board of governors. Some disciplinary actions include suspension or expulsion.
Dawn Hudson, chief executive of the Academy said that the new standards will represent a first step in ensuring that all of their members live up to the group's values. He also acknowledged that a lot of things still need to be done.
"The task force will finalize procedures for handling allegations of misconduct, assuring that we can address them fairly and expeditiously," said Hudson.
Hudson added that the board of governors will be the one to access the accuracy of the allegations. They will also be the ones to decide what action they should impose thereafter.
Some of the Hollywood figures who were linked to various sexual abuse, harassment and misconduct allegations included Billy Cosby, Brett Ratner, Roman Polanski and more. All three are still members of the Academy.
Harvey Weinstein's Accusers
Weinstein, on the other hand, was stripped of his position at the Academy after Rose McGowan came forward with her story of rape by the producer. Other actresses who accused Weinstein included Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and more.
