Cameron Russell Urges Models To Come Forward And Seek Help For Sexual Abuse

#MyJobShouldNotIncludeAbuse

Text by Hayley Morgan

With the support of other voices, prompted by allegations against Harvey Weinstein, men and women in lots of different industries are coming forward with their own horrifying recollections of sexual harassment and abuse.

Cameron Russell, model and activist, has helped to surface more stories by providing a space for it on her Instagram — spotlighting some terrible truths within the fashion industry and calling for an end to it.

This was not an expose because nothing in these stories should be a revelation for those working in our industry. Instead it was the beginning of a power shift. We are speaking to each other, we are speaking up, we are speaking to lawyers, and we are speaking to well resourced reporters. The last 48 hours has been devastating. We know what is happening in fashion. We tolerate it and ignore it and excuse it every day. Coming face to face with so many of the people effected is opening to an impossible grief. To the magazines, agencies, clients, and editors who reached out for interviews, who commented to express solidarity and horror, who said they do not stand for sexual assault, SHOW US. Is there a hotline for freelancers to call? What are the consequences of workplace sexual harassment, assault, and violence? What will you do now? What will you do next time you are a witness? We all know who the perpetrators are and we continue to work with them. STOP. Advertisers and magazines, stop hiring these people. Agencies, stop sending them talent. Stop today. Do not wait until lawyers get involved. Do the right thing because the wrong thing is horrific. #myjobshouldnotincludeabuse

A post shared by Cameron Russell (@cameronrussell) on

Along with the very real hashtag #MyJobShouldNotIncludeAbuse, Cameron has shared almost 80 anonymous stories sent in by models and other workers that detail abuse. Cameron also does the right thing and warns women about participating in this space —it comes with a trigger warning and lots of information on self-care.

View this post on Instagram

***If you have been a victim of rape our assault 24/7 support is available from rainn.org.*** For those who shared, and for everyone who read these stories and is feeling vulnerable, please take care of yourself. For many of us the familiarity of these stories, can shake us to our core as we recall our own. Self care might mean turning off your phone/computer, taking a walk, meditating, writing, exercising, eating, sleeping, or being around people who love and care for you. In my bio find a link to a self-care guide, and please post your own tips in the comments. For me, self-care is recognizing that continuing to post will not solve this problem. Meaningful change doesn't happen overnight. By stepping away to calmly plan next steps I can continue to be of service. I am sorry I cannot respond to or post everyone's story. I hope together we can find an outlet for this strength that unifies us further and challenges the status quo. For now, let us end with gratitude to the hundreds who came forward to share, and a celebration of our resilience. #myjobshouldnotincludeabuse

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She has also explained that the people who’ve shared their stories have not given explicit permission to have them shared elsewhere. So, if reading these stories is important to you, you should visit her account direct.

1. The people who shared their stories here did not give explicit permission for them to be shared elsewhere. Although this is a public space, please be mindful of amplifying this community storytelling. Please protect the privacy of users who did not anticipate that they would be quoted in the media. 2. This is only the first step in a long process to make sexual harassment, assault, and violence unacceptable. For this reason, I will not be participating in click bate interviews, especially those which serve to drive traffic to publications that continue to hire these predators. Instead, I hope that an experienced investigative team can support the work of holding the fashion industry accountable, while centering and protecting leadership by people silenced for too long. #myjobshouldnotincludeabuse

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Not that the onus should ever be on victims to explain and stand up against abuse — though somehow I don’t see perps owning up and changing things any time soon — it’s important for us all to be able to identify and speak up about shitty behaviour. Cameron posts more useful information here too.

A few years ago I was shooting with another model at a client's corporate headquarters. In the staff kitchen on the required labor law posters, we read the definition of sexual harassment. "This sounds like our job description," I said. We laughed and went back to work. When I got home and looked up the definition online, it was so spot on it felt like someone who knew us...and of course they did. Sexual harassment is unacceptably commonplace. I sat down to try to make a list of my own experiences. Non consensual kisses, spanks, gropes, and pinches. Failing to provide adequate changing space, shaming in response to requests for adequate changing space. Bullying by editors, photographers, stylists, and clients to go topless or nude. Publishing nudity after contractually agreeing not to. Non consensual massage. Inappropriate emails, text messages, and phone calls. Pressure while underage to consume alcohol. Being directed to "pretend like I'm your boyfriend." Being forced to sleep at the photographer's home rather than provided a hotel. Having my job threatened if I don't participate. Being called difficult, feminist, virgin, diva when speaking up or saying no. Being unclear about boundaries because so many boundaries have been crossed. I loose count. And this is only what's easy to share, what's as commonplace as 9am call times, fittings, and lunch. #myjobshouldnotincludeabuse

A post shared by Cameron Russell (@cameronrussell) on

If you need more information or assistance in dealing with assault in Australia, you can get lots of information from reachout.com and 1800respect.org.au

Photo: @cameronrussell

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