‘Do not be alone in a room with him’: how Australia’s comedy scene deals with its ‘open secrets’

‘Ultimately all these discussions are about “how do we keep ourselves safe in the workplace?”’ says Gen Fricker, who says she has conversations with other women in comedy warning each other about men in the scene ‘at least once a week’. Photograph: Getty Images

As the investigation into Russell Brand’s treatment of women was published last weekend – allegations he denies – the Australian comedy scene continued to reckon with what it claims to be its own “open secrets”. Years on from the #MeToo movement, Australian comedians have told the Guardian there are still male comics threatening women’s safety – and it’s still up to women to protect each other.

“A billion per cent there are open secrets in the industry,” says Demi Lardner, a Sydney-based standup, podcaster and streamer. “Over the past seven years, maybe 20 times, I’ve gotten a message from someone saying, ‘The story’s about to come out, it’s going to break’ – all about the same guy. But the story doesn’t come out. And there’s more than just that one guy.”