Olena Uzliuk’s Harassment Confession
Olena Uzliuk, a Ukrainian Honored Artist, has disclosed the harassment she endured early in her career in the 1990s, when she was just 19 years old. The incident occurred during the filming of a movie based on Ukrainian classic literature. Uzliuk chose to share details of this case in an interview with Alina Dorotiuk.
Uzliuk did not name the director who harassed her, noting that the man has since passed away. According to the artist, while working on the film, she was pushed into a set where she faced unacceptable actions from the director and another actor.
“I was wearing a beautiful peignoir. The director shoves me into the set, into a room, says I have to take off the peignoir, and a very cheerful older actor without pants shoves himself in. I had some kind of seizure. It was so vile. They insulted me so deeply. I flew out of that room, crying,” said Olena Uzliuk.
After the incident, Uzliuk did not feel support from her colleagues; instead, she faced criticism for her reaction.
“They said, ‘Oh, she’s crazy.’ They found other girls who gladly agreed to such things. It really traumatized me,” Uzliuk recounted.
Uzliuk also did not tell her mother about this story due to shame, confiding only in a friend. Notably, Uzliuk expressed support for her colleagues at the Young Theatre who were victims of harassment by artistic director Andriy Bilous. “That’s why I understand our youth. This moment didn’t break me, but physically, I was shaking. It seems like nothing happened. Some might say, ‘What’s the big deal?’ But this is a very delicate issue. It shouldn’t be this way. And now I’m reaching out to all girls and women who face similar situations: please, don’t stay silent,” Uzliuk urged her listeners.
The Importance of Discussing Harassment
Olena Uzliuk’s candid admission about the harassment she faced early in her career underscores the critical need to address sexual harassment in the cultural sector. This issue remains relevant in modern Ukraine, especially amid recent scandals in the theater community, highlighting the necessity for changes in how women in creative professions are protected.
Uzliuk’s experience could serve as a powerful signal for other women who have gone through similar situations, encouraging them to speak out and seek help. It may also help raise public awareness of the issue and rebuild trust in harassment victims.