Arnold Clavio on Instagram.
GMA pillar Arnold Clavio has called for an industry-wide campaign to prevent sexual abuse in show business, as he called on the victims to summon the courage to speak up and point at the perpetrators.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Clavio said that while incidents or alleged sex crimes have been going on in the entertainment industry, it’s high time that these be no longer swept under the rug, so that the offenders will be put to light and be made answerable for their deeds.
The hard-hitting journalist claimed some people tend to take advantage of their lofty positions to exploit those who just want to attain their dreams in the industry. This is made worse by the fact that some predators enjoy the protection of someone more powerful.
“Kailangan na itong matigil !!! Kailangan na ang isang malaganap na kampanya para sa kamalayan laban sa sexual abuse , sexual harassment at maging sa kultura ng panggagahasa. Ipakita dapat ng buong industriya ang suporta kung saan ipinapahayag ng mga biktima ang kanilang mga karanasan sa sekswal na pang-aabuso,” he said.
(This should stop! There is now a need for a massive awareness campaign against sexual abuse, harassment and even rape culture. The industry must show its support behind the victims of sexual violence.)
“Ang suportang ito ang magbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa mga nakaranas ng sekswal na pag-atake sa pamamagitan ng pakikiramay at pagkakaisa at makita na ito ay isang malalang problema at hindi paisa-isang kaso lamang,” Clavio further said.
(This kind of support will empower the victims of sexual violence and show a united front against what has become a festering problem, rather than just an isolated case.
Clavio said the victims need to speak up against their abusers so that members of the industry may be able to help them.
“Kung ang lahat ng biktima ay magkakaisa tiyak na kikilos ang buong industriya para ito ay wakasan: Para sa mga naging biktima, hindi ka nag-iisa, at hindi ka dapat mahiya. Para sa nakararanas ng ganitong mapait na situwasyon, may karapatan kang tumanggi nang pag-aalinlangan o takot sa iyong magiging kinabukasan,” he said.
Clavio issued his opinion on the heels of reports that two entertainment executives had allegedly sexually abused a young actor.
While the names of the parties have not been publicly revealed, social media is rife with posts about the incident, which took place following a major event hosted by a TV network recently which they all attended.
In the comments, the veteran broadcaster then echoed the statement released earlier by his home network, that it is awaiting the filing of formal charges before it could conduct a formal internal investigation.
Image: Instagram/@akosiigan
GMA has been at the receiving end of criticism amid allegations that the two executives concerned were under its employ, and which the network had previously referred to as its “contractors.”
The comments section on Clavio’s post has been disabled at present.