A Peterborough comedian is speaking out about the sexual violence women face in the industry
Shona Hoey tells us her experience as a performer
A comedian from Peterborough is shining a light on the sexual harassment women face both at gigs and online.
Shona Hoey says the problem is widespread on the comedy circuit, and fears speaking out could see her blacklisted from future shows.
She’s shared her own experiences, telling us she’s been kissed on the cheek by audience members and grabbed around the waist.
Shona says promoters have even told her to wear something short on stage.
She said: “The comment I get a lot is you joke about it in a very male way, in a very boyish way, and because I joke about my body and things like that, that it kind of gives them the scope to be able to do it as well.”
Shona hopes raising awareness will help open conversations, saying some of her friends had no idea these issues existed in comedy.
"I think raising awareness for others is important. My friend had no idea that stuff was going on in comedy and it opened up the conversation."
But she admits the risk of being blacklisted is real, with news travelling fast in what she calls a “very small world”.