Female performers tell of sexual harassment at work

Female performers tell of sexual harassment at work4 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleNic Rigby,BBC Politics EastandPaul Moseley,Norfolk political reporterMartin Giles/BBCSinger Lizzie Blissett was told by one audience member they only came to see her for her bodyFemale entertainers have described sexual harassment they have suffered at the hands of audience members and industry insiders.Norwich-based singer Lizzie Blissett said she had been groped after gigs, while Peterborough comedian Shona Hoey said men had grabbed and kissed her without consent."It makes it feel quite dirty. It doesn't make it feel enjoyable any more," Blissett told BBC Politics East.Sarah Owen, Labour MP for Luton North and chair of the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee (WEC), said it was vital to "challenge the culture and change the behaviour".Andrew Sinclair/BBCShona Hoey works as a comedian, bus driver and photographerThe performers' comments came after the WEC investigated the treatment of women in the music and comedy scenes.Owen said many women "wanted to give evidence [to the committee] but were scared of what would happen to their careers in the future, and that is partly because they are self-employed and the huge amount of power of promoters and bookers".Blissett said she had suffered a stream of sexist comments in person from audience members."They'll make comments about my legs or that they only came to see my body," she said."It might even be touching, so it can be an arm around our shoulder that ends up moving lower and lower down, and we have to step away from that."It can just be groping as well."Details of help and support with sexual abuse or violence are available at BBC Action LineHoey said pictures of her had been put online with "inappropriate captions and quite vulgar language".She said she had been told "wear something short because then I can imagine bending y...