Sarah Jessica Parker on sexual harassment: ‘I’ve had to try to figure out how to stand up for myself’

The 53-year-old said she has had her 'share of it'

Sarah Jessica Parker has discussed her experience of sexual harassment in Hollywood, revealing she has had her “share of it”.

The actor made the statement during an interview to promote her upcoming film Here and Now, in which she discussed everything from austerity film-making to her turbulent relationship with her Sex and the City co-star Kim Cattrall.

Best known for her portrayal of fictional writer Carrie Bradshaw in the hit HBO television series, Parker has previously spoken candidly about #MeToo and Time’s Up, admitting her character would “have a lot to say” about the movements.

Now, the 53-year-old has opened up about her own personal experience of sexual harassment in the industry.

“Yeah, I’ve had my share of it”, she told iNews.

“I’ve had nothing happen that can compare with some of the most harrowing stories that we’ve all heard, but I’ve certainly had to try to figure out how to stand up for myself or at least try to feel comfortable… Be heard to the degree that I can do my work."

Parker said she had been aware of harassment in Hollywood “for a long time” adding: “It wasn’t rampant but I was certainly aware it’s been a cultural, endemic problem for a long time.

“Even if I wasn’t on the receiving end of it, that didn’t make me unaware of it.”

In light of this, the actor says she is determined to embolden change when it comes to inclusion in the movie industry, calling for parity in pay, safe working environments and better training for women in film.

“I think there are really admirable intentions – 50/50 by 2020 [the campaign for gender balance] is exciting. But it’s the pipeline we should all be focused on,” she said.

In another recent interview, Parker explained that she believes the LGBT+ community must also be included when discussing representation in film, describing the need for better roles in the entertainment industry as a “humanist” issue.

“My fervent hope is that the quality of parts will get better because we’re having the conversation that it’s necessary,” Parker told Metro.

“But I think it’s not just about a feminist call-to-arms, it’s humanist…it’s about the LGBTQ community. We have to do better by everybody."