Iranian women in film industry slam sexual violence

TEHRAN: Over 250 women working in Iran’s film industry have signed a statement condemning what they call "systematic" sexual harassment and demanding a committee address the issue.

People in power in Iranian cinema are known to exploit their positions "to bully, threaten, insult, humiliate and assault women," they charged. "Acts of violence are systematic," said the statement signed by some of Iran’s most prominent actresses, film directors and producers.

"We condemn any violence and sexual harassment in the workplace, and to end it, we call for serious legal consequences for the violators." Iranian cinema is well-known around the world, as many of the country’s movies have screened at film festivals and won international awards.