THE GATE THEATRE issued a statement this afternoon following claims from a number of people in recent days about sexual harassment and abuse of power within the industry in Ireland.

It said it has set up a confidential process for employees and contractors to raise any concerns they may have. They have been asked to contact The Gate through an email address – confidential@gate-theatre.ie.

The board and management of the theatre said it intends to “appoint an independent professional HR advisor to handle any issues raised” through that process.

It also said that any experience shared with them will be treated in the “utmost confidence”.

The statement in full reads:

The Gate Theatre joined with other theatrical institutions last week to condemn the issue of sexual harassment and abuse of power in the theatre world in Ireland and internationally.

The Gate board and management made it clear in our statement that we will listen to what people have to say and our aim is to foster a safe and supportive working environment in our theatre.

If you have been contracted by The Gate Theatre or in our employment and wish to talk to us about any concerns please contact us on confidential@gate-theatre.ie.

Any experience shared will be treated in the utmost confidence and we intend to appoint an independent professional HR advisor to handle any issues raised.

Following queries from TheJournal.ie about issues raised by a number of women online and in national newspapers in the past week, The Gate pointed us to this statement which was placed on its website this afternoon.

The allegations come amid a worldwide examination of inappropriate behaviour, sexual harassment and abuse of power by executives within the entertainment world, as well as political spheres, kicked off by the investigations into movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

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