Actor Shareena Clanton alleges she experienced 'multiple racist traumas' on Neighbours set - ABC News

Actor Shareena Clanton has said she experienced "multiple racist traumas" while on set for the soap hit Neighbours.

Key points:

• The actor said she heard the "n-word" being openly used on the soap set
• Clanton said she faced retailiation for speaking up about racism and misconduct
• Production company Fremantle Media said it was engaged in significant discussions with Clanton while she was on the show

Clanton, a Wongatha,Yamatji, Noongar and Gitja woman, said it had been "lonely, triggering and traumatising to work in such a culturally unsafe place".

Clanton is perhaps best-known for her portrayal of Doreen Anderson in the award-winning prison drama Wentworth and has starred in a range of other Australian productions.

In a social media post, she said "overt and covert levels of racism were rife" during her months working for Neighbours.

She said that included a white actor calling another actor of colour a "lil' monkey" and two instances where the "n-word" was openly used.

She alleges she was told to "go somewhere else" when she confronted an actor who used the slur "because I was making others 'uncomfortable'."

Shareena Clanton starred as Doreen Anderson in the hit show Wentworth.(

Foxtel

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Other allegations included that a staff member laughed at sexual language and that a fellow actor laughed at the use of the n-word but then lied about it to HR.

Clanton said she ended one professional relationship after they "endorsed/encouraged" it as "office banter" when a staff member used the term "slave driver".

The actor said she was left feeling "ostracised and further marginalised" after calling out the behaviour, and was told by HR they were unsure of what else they should do.

A spokesperson for Fremantle Media, the production company behind the long-running soap, said there were "significant and lengthy discussions" with Clanton during her time on the show.

Clanton is an actor and academic who is vocal in her advocacy for Indigenous rights.(

Facebook: Shareena Clanton

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"Neighbours strives to be a platform for diversity and inclusion on-screen and off-screen," the spokesperson said.

"Our quest is always to continue to grow and develop in this area and we acknowledge that this is an evolving process. Shareena's involvement in the creative process and on set was invaluable and hugely educational and will benefit the series moving forward."

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Clanton said she paid out of her own pocket for a Wurundjeri elder to be on set to ensure cultural protocols were followed after being told the production did not have the budget.

She did not name anyone directly in the Instagram post.

Network Ten, which broadcasts the show, directed the ABC to Fremantle's statement when contacted for comment.

The Fremantle spokesperson said the production company would "continue to work with all cast and crew to ensure Neighbours continues to be a fully inclusive environment".

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTA0LTA2L3NoYXJlZW5hLWNsYW50b24tYWxsZWdlcy1yYWNpc20tb24tbmVpZ2hib3Vycy1zZXQvMTAwMDUwODU40gEoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAuYWJjLm5ldC5hdS9hcnRpY2xlLzEwMDA1MDg1OA?oc=5

2021-04-06 06:13:34Z
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