Emily Atack, the star of ‘The Inbetweeners’ and ‘Rivals’, has shared that she has faced sexual assault during her career.
Speaking to the ‘Radio Times’, the 35-year-old actress revealed, “I’ve been sexually assaulted at work throughout my career, whether it’s on the actual set, or at a wrap party.”
Advertisement
Atack, who previously presented the 2023 documentary ‘Emily Atack: Asking For It?’ about online sexual harassment, explained that she has personally experienced harassment in the digital space as well.
In the programme, she revealed receiving hundreds of explicit messages and pictures every day, and explored why some men target women online and what could be done to stop this behaviour.
Because of her unpleasant experiences, Atack welcomed the growing use of intimacy coordinators on film and TV sets. These professionals oversee scenes involving sexual content to ensure actors feel safe and supported.
Also Read: Cardi B wins $24M nail attack case in court against security guard
“It shows that people are listening and that there has to be a shift in behaviour on sets,” she said. She added, “They are there for support if you feel uncomfortable… Whether you’re a man or a woman,” and acknowledged that she hasn’t always felt safe in her career.
Beyond her professional life, Atack is also focused on being a thoughtful parent. She wants to raise her young son, Barney, with a strong understanding of respect and self-worth.
“I want him to know how to treat women and know his own worth. So he doesn’t feel he has to follow awful men online that are preying on vulnerable boys,” she told the ‘Radio Times’.
Atack described her family as “very open.” She said, “I want Barney to know he can talk to me about anything. That’s the mother I want to be.”
Atack’s experiences with harassment are not new. She was 17 when she was cast as Charlotte Hinchcliffe in the popular Channel 4 coming-of-age comedy ‘The Inbetweeners’. In interviews, she has shared that she began receiving unwanted attention from men from a very young age.