Supergirl's Melissa Benoist speaks out on harassment

From Digital Spy

Supergirl actress Melissa Benoist and Arrow's Emily Bett Rickards have spoken out following allegations of sexual harassment against executive producer Andrew Kreisberg.

Kreisberg, who has worked on the likes of Supergirl and The Flash, has strongly denied the claims made against him, but Warner Bros Television has suspended the producer while it investigates.

It's reported that 19 men and women have come forward about Kreisberg, and now the stars of DC's biggest small-screen shows have had their say on social media.

In a lengthy statement posted on Twitter, Melissa – who plays the lead role in Supergirl – called the industry's attitude "heartbreaking", before insisting that she believes "change is possible".

"[W]hen people are mistreated, they should have a safe forum to speak their truth and always be heard," she wrote.

"And when people commit crimes or harass others they should always be held accountable – no matter what industry they work in or how much power they wield.

"I've spoken up about it in the past – publicly and not so publicly – and I'll continue to do so."

Benoist added that she would be returning to work on Supergirl "committed" to "changing the norm", promising to refuse to accept an environment that is "anything less than safe, respectful and collaborative".

Emily Bett Rickards, who plays Felicity Smoak in Arrow, also addressed the recent allegations, hailing the women who spoke out as "heroines".

In a message shared on Twitter, Emily branded men who "turn a blind eye" as "weak and complicit".

"To the women who supported one another and to the women finding their voice: You can. You are heroines," she added.

Kreisberg himself has denied any wrongdoing and previously said of the allegations: "I have made comments on women's appearances and clothes in my capacity as an executive producer, but they were not sexualised.

"I have proudly mentored both male and female colleagues for many years. But never in what I believe to be an unwanted way and certainly never in a sexual way."

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