'They need to learn what’s OK and what’s not!' Dawn French says she wants to 'arm all the young women around her' against sexual harassment
She's one of the UK's leading comediennes.
And Dawn French has used her influence to speak out against sexual harassment against young women in the entertainment industry.
Talking to the Radio Times, Dawn, 60, said: 'I think that we should be arming our young women … They should have a script as to what to do.
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'They need to learn what’s OK and what’s not!' Dawn French says she wants to 'arm all the young women around her' against sexual harassment
Only the young: Dawn wants to arm impressionable young actresses [pictured in 1991]
'So, if they’re asked to go to an audition and they are told "It won’t be here in one of these public rooms, you’re going to Mr Weinstein’s bedroom", then they say no.
'There are out-points all along the way. And we, the mothers, we, the friends, we, the agents, we, the casting directors, have to say this.'
The former star of The Vicar Of Dibley went on to add: 'At drama school, actresses need to learn what’s OK and what’s not, and have a checklist of what you do and what you don’t do, and leave at that point. Leave, leave, leave.'
Her comments come in light of the recent string of revelations and alegations made across the film, TV and theatre industry, which began when major producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of harassment in Hollywood.
'I can’t stop Harvey Weinstein, but I can arm young actresses, just like I would arm my own daughter, telling her not to walk in the streets at night on her own, get in a cab,' said Dawn. 'I am going to arm all the young women around me as much as I can.'
Speaking out: Talking to the Radio Times , Dawn, 60, said 'I think that we should be arming our young women… They should have a script as to what to do'
Leading the way: Dawn has been an actress for almost 50 years, making a name for herself alongside comedy partner Jennifer Saunders
Dawn has been an actress for almost 50 years, making a name for herself alongside comedy partner Jennifer Saunders.
This Christmas, a festive special is to be aired, in which the pair look back on their favourite clips from their eponymous sketch show.
The show is also set to feature some new routines, including sketches based on the likes of Gogglebox, The Handmaid’s Tale and Wonder Woman.
Dawn celebrated her 60th birthday back in October, confessing she was 'grateful' to have made it to such a momentous milestone.
Gorgeous: Fans were quick to compliment The Vicar of Dibley star's youthful appearance on Twitter, admiring the bubbly comedienne's 'stunning' looks
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