Since Hollywood sex abuse revelations ignited the #MeToo movement five years ago, demand for on-set "intimacy coordinators" has soared -- but resistance, power imbalances and a fear of saying "no" to sex scenes are deeply rooted in showbusiness, say experts.

A fledgling industry of professionals who choreograph intimate scenes, provide equipment to safeguard actors' privates and discuss consent with filmmakers has grown rapidly since a 2017 investigation into Harvey Weinstein forced a wider reckoning.

"It has been an amazing difference, in that when it was first introduced, there was a lot of resistance from the industry -- from directors, some actors, producers," said Claire Warden, a New York-based intimacy coordinator.

Warden estimates around 60-80 experts are now working on sets, and she is working with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) to quickly train more.

"After years of yelling into the void and pushing as hard as we could in the industry to educate, the industry has started listening," she said.

Before 2017, intimacy directors existed primarily in theatre and were conspicuously absent in film and television, where actors were often isolated and reliant on wardrobe departments to improvise basic "modesty garments" to cover their genitalia in nude scenes.

One of the first major shifts came from HBO, which in the aftermath of the Weinstein allegations brought an intimacy expert onto the set of "The Deuce" -- an explicit show about the porn industry in 1970s New York. Since then, the network has expanded its policy to require intimacy coordinators on all its shows.

And specialized equipment companies offer&nbsp;strapless thongs, padded pouches and silicone "barriers," as well as body tapes in various skin tones.

In a recent Variety interview, 25-year-old "Euphoria" star Sydney Sweeney said she has "never felt uncomfortable" thanks to the constant presence of intimacy coordinators.

"It's a very safe environment. I'm very fortunate that I am coming up during a time where there is so much thought in this process," she said.

"Even if you have agreed to something, they ask you on the spot on the day, 'Did you change your mind? Because you can.' It's really nice."

- 'Predators' -

Like Warden, others in the industry argue the progress around consent is long overdue, while recent events have shown that not all welcome the new roles.

In the same Variety interview, "Yellowjackets" actor Christina Ricci, 42, revealed that she once informed a movie set she was uncomfortable with an intimate scene, and "they threatened to sue me if I didn't do it."

"It's not that actors suddenly started speaking up in 2017... We've been speaking for ages, just no one was listening," said Warden.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-jennifer-lawrence-feels-she-lost-control-of-her-career-post-hunger-games-success-523683" hreflang="en">Jennifer Lawrence feels she 'lost control' of her career post 'Hunger Games' success</a>

"The industry was actively trying to silence those voices."

Actors are often taught to ignore or forgo their right to consent, and that "no" is a "dangerous" word, she said.

"We are conditioned... that you will be called a diva. That you won't get jobs, that no-one will work with you."&nbsp; 
 
Intimacy coordinators also told AFP they are still overcoming fears that their presence could stifle creativity, or expose cast and crew to the perils of "cancel culture."

"Because of the historical backdrop of Harvey Weinstein, a lot of people were afraid that they were being perceived as predators," said Jessica Steinrock, who has amassed half-a-million followers discussing intimacy coordinator work on TikTok.

Rather than acting as an arm of human resources, intimacy coordinators exist to reduce risk and improve performances in the same way a stunt coordinator does, she said.

"I think the exponential growth in the last few years has been painful for many but really rewarding overall," Steinrock said.

- 'Toxic' -

Still, there are high-profile hold-outs. Earlier this year, actor Frank Langella was fired from Netflix's "The Fall of the House of Usher" for alleged unacceptable conduct on set including sexual harassment of an actress. 
 
In a column for Deadline, he blasted an intimacy coordinator's instructions about where he could touch the actress on her leg during an intimate scene as "absurd" and "ludicrous."&nbsp;

"It undermines instinct and spontaneity," he wrote. But for Warden, reading that op-ed, "it is clear that his resistance does not come from lack of understanding."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-tom-cruise-plans-to-do-spacewalk-at-international-space-station-for-upcoming-film-523677" hreflang="en">Tom Cruise could perform spacewalk at International Space Station for upcoming film</a>

"That comes from a lack of willingness to consider other people's consent. That comes from a toxic sense of entitlement."

And, Steinrock said, intimacy coordinators alone cannot solve the type of harassment illustrated by Weinstein, whose abuses did not generally occur on film sets.

"The way we treat scenes of intimacy is going to have ripple effects in every other way, about how we talk consensually, how we prepare for things, how actors see their own bodily autonomy," she said.

"But I think it's important that we don't treat intimacy coordinators as a panacea for all of the power and harassment and abuse of power that's happened in the entertainment industry over the last century."

Since Hollywood sex abuse revelations ignited the #MeToo movement five years ago, demand for on-set "intimacy coordinators" has soared -- but resistance, power imbalances and a fear of saying "no" to sex scenes are deeply rooted in showbusiness, say experts.

Since Hollywood sex abuse revelations ignited the #MeToo movement five years ago, demand for on-set "intimacy coordinators" has soared -- but resistance, power imbalances and a fear of saying "no" to sex scenes are deeply rooted in showbusiness, say experts. A fledgling industry of professionals who choreograph intimate scenes, provide equipment to safeguard actors' privates and discuss consent with filmmakers has grown rapidly since a 2017 investigation into Harvey Weinstein forced a wider reckoning. "It has been an amazing difference, in that when it was first introduced, there was a lot of resistance from the industry -- from directors, some actors, producers," said Claire Warden, a New York-based intimacy coordinator. Warden estimates around 60-80 experts are now working on sets, and she is working with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) to quickly train more. "After years of yelling into the void and pushing as hard as we could in the industry to educate, the industry has started listening," she said. Before 2017, intimacy directors existed primarily in theatre and were conspicuously absent in film and television, where actors were often isolated and reliant on wardrobe departments to improvise basic "modesty garments" to cover their genitalia in nude scenes. One of the first major shifts came from HBO, which in the aftermath of the Weinstein allegations brought an intimacy expert onto the set of "The Deuce" -- an explicit show about the porn industry in 1970s New York. Since then, the network has expanded its policy to require intimacy coordinators on all its shows. And specialized equipment companies offer strapless thongs, padded pouches and silicone "barriers," as well as body tapes in various skin tones. In a recent Variety interview, 25-year-old "Euphoria" star Sydney Sweeney said she has "never felt uncomfortable" thanks to the constant presence of intimacy coordinators. "It's a very safe environment. I'm very fortunate that I am coming up during a time where there is so much thought in this process," she said. "Even if you have agreed to something, they ask you on the spot on the day, 'Did you change your mind? Because you can.' It's really nice." - 'Predators' - Like Warden, others in the industry argue the progress around consent is long overdue, while recent events have shown that not all welcome the new roles. In the same Variety interview, "Yellowjackets" actor Christina Ricci, 42, revealed that she once informed a movie set she was uncomfortable with an intimate scene, and "they threatened to sue me if I didn't do it." "It's not that actors suddenly started speaking up in 2017... We've been speaking for ages, just no one was listening," said Warden. Also read: Jennifer Lawrence feels she 'lost control' of her career post 'Hunger Games' success "The industry was actively trying to silence those voices." Actors are often taught to ignore or forgo their right to consent, and that "no" is a "dangerous" word, she said. "We are conditioned... that you will be called a diva. That you won't get jobs, that no-one will work with you." Intimacy coordinators also told AFP they are still overcoming fears that their presence could stifle creativity, or expose cast and crew to the perils of "cancel culture." "Because of the historical backdrop of Harvey Weinstein, a lot of people were afraid that they were being perceived as predators," said Jessica Steinrock, who has amassed half-a-million followers discussing intimacy coordinator work on TikTok. Rather than acting as an arm of human resources, intimacy coordinators exist to reduce risk and improve performances in the same way a stunt coordinator does, she said. "I think the exponential growth in the last few years has been painful for many but really rewarding overall," Steinrock said. - 'Toxic' - Still, there are high-profile hold-outs. Earlier this year, actor Frank Langella was fired from Netflix's "The Fall of the House of Usher" for alleged unacceptable conduct on set including sexual harassment of an actress. In a column for Deadline, he blasted an intimacy coordinator's instructions about where he could touch the actress on her leg during an intimate scene as "absurd" and "ludicrous." "It undermines instinct and spontaneity," he wrote. But for Warden, reading that op-ed, "it is clear that his resistance does not come from lack of understanding." Also read: Tom Cruise could perform spacewalk at International Space Station for upcoming film "That comes from a lack of willingness to consider other people's consent. That comes from a toxic sense of entitlement." And, Steinrock said, intimacy coordinators alone cannot solve the type of harassment illustrated by Weinstein, whose abuses did not generally occur on film sets. "The way we treat scenes of intimacy is going to have ripple effects in every other way, about how we talk consensually, how we prepare for things, how actors see their own bodily autonomy," she said. "But I think it's important that we don't treat intimacy coordinators as a panacea for all of the power and harassment and abuse of power that's happened in the entertainment industry over the last century."

Sex-scene experts help reshape Hollywood power dynamics in #MeToo era

The leader of one of&nbsp;Thailand's biggest political parties apologised on Tuesday over the conduct of a former executive accused by more than a dozen women of sexual abuse in what some activists have called the country's first "MeToo" moment.

Prinn Panitchpakdi, 44, resigned as deputy leader of the Democrat Party last week and was charged on Saturday with sexual abuse and rape after complaints were filed against him by five women separately.

Prinn, the son of former World Trade Organisation (WTO) chief Supachai Panitchpakdi, has denied the charges and was freed on bail on Sunday.

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Nine more women have since come forward with similar allegations against Prinn, according to police. Prinn has made no public comment since the new allegations were made and said he was unavailable when contacted by Reuters on Tuesday.

Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit, a close associate of Prinn, on Tuesday apologised over the scandal and acknowledged his role in endorsing him as a senior party member.

"I'm deeply sorry and must apologise for everything that has happened that was linked to a Democrat Party member," Jurin told a news conference, without elaborating.

"As a party leader, I must acknowledge that I was a key part in an effort to bring Prinn into the party."

Watch |&nbsp;Thailand's prime minister visits Saudi Arabia, calls it a 'new journey

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thailands-prime-minister-visits-saudi-arabia-calls-it-a-new-journey-448352/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The hashtag #MeToo has trended on social media in&nbsp;Thailand since last week, with users expressing outrage over the scope of the alleged misconduct and a perception of impunity for the political elite.

Jurin, who is commerce minister and deputy prime minister in the ruling coalition, said his party stands against sexual harassment and violence against children and women.

He also resigned as chairman of two government committees on gender equality and women's policies, and said the Democrat Party would conduct its own internal investigation.

"We will not step in to protect Prinn, nor intervene in the justice process," he said.

Trairong Piwpan, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, confirmed to Reuters that 14 victims had so far come forward with allegations against Prinn, nine of whom met on Monday with police, who were considering the cases.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-drops-pre-arrival-covid-19-test-for-foreign-visitors-463581">Thailand drops pre-arrival COVID-19 test for foreign visitors</a>

According to Sittra Biabungkerd of the People's Lawyers Foundation, a legal assistance group representing the victims, all were between 17 and 30 at the time of the alleged offences, some of which were more than a decade ago, and five have said they were raped.

"There are many others who are still afraid to come forward," Sittra told Reuters.

The leader of one of Thailand's biggest political parties apologised on Tuesday over the conduct of a former executive accused by more than a dozen women of sexual abuse in what some activists have called the country's first "MeToo" moment.

The leader of one of Thailand's biggest political parties apologised on Tuesday over the conduct of a former executive accused by more than a dozen women of sexual abuse in what some activists have called the country's first "MeToo" moment. Prinn Panitchpakdi, 44, resigned as deputy leader of the Democrat Party last week and was charged on Saturday with sexual abuse and rape after complaints were filed against him by five women separately. Prinn, the son of former World Trade Organisation (WTO) chief Supachai Panitchpakdi, has denied the charges and was freed on bail on Sunday. Also read | Vietnamese man tries to row from Thailand to India to see wife Nine more women have since come forward with similar allegations against Prinn, according to police. Prinn has made no public comment since the new allegations were made and said he was unavailable when contacted by Reuters on Tuesday. Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit, a close associate of Prinn, on Tuesday apologised over the scandal and acknowledged his role in endorsing him as a senior party member. "I'm deeply sorry and must apologise for everything that has happened that was linked to a Democrat Party member," Jurin told a news conference, without elaborating. "As a party leader, I must acknowledge that I was a key part in an effort to bring Prinn into the party." Watch | Thailand's prime minister visits Saudi Arabia, calls it a 'new journey The hashtag #MeToo has trended on social media in Thailand since last week, with users expressing outrage over the scope of the alleged misconduct and a perception of impunity for the political elite. Jurin, who is commerce minister and deputy prime minister in the ruling coalition, said his party stands against sexual harassment and violence against children and women. He also resigned as chairman of two government committees on gender equality and women's policies, and said the Democrat Party would conduct its own internal investigation. "We will not step in to protect Prinn, nor intervene in the justice process," he said. Trairong Piwpan, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, confirmed to Reuters that 14 victims had so far come forward with allegations against Prinn, nine of whom met on Monday with police, who were considering the cases. Also read | Thailand drops pre-arrival COVID-19 test for foreign visitors According to Sittra Biabungkerd of the People's Lawyers Foundation, a legal assistance group representing the victims, all were between 17 and 30 at the time of the alleged offences, some of which were more than a decade ago, and five have said they were raped. "There are many others who are still afraid to come forward," Sittra told Reuters.

Thailand party apologises as sexual misconduct cases mount against executive

Three years after the MeToo movement spread globally, Iranian women have broken their silence on sexual violence.

MeToo in Iran: women break their long silence

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Sex-scene experts help reshape Hollywood power dynamics in #MeToo era

Thailand party apologises as sexual misconduct cases mount against executive

MeToo in Iran: women break their long silence