Why Themis exists
We founded the Themis Trust Center Against Sexual Harassment and Violence in May 2018. It is a joint initiative of industry associations, employer and employee representatives from the cultural and media sectors, as well as broadcasting organizations. As an independent institution, we aim to promote cultural change in the film, television, and performing arts industries.
Our namesake is the Greek goddess Themis, who represents justice and social cohesion. This also reflects our core mission: to support individuals affected by sexual harassment or violence in the cultural and media sectors. Due to the specific working conditions in these industries, employees often face unique challenges. This makes an external, cross-company trust center essential.
The protection of those affected is always our top priority. We provide legal and psychological counselling and inform you about your rights. If, as part of our counselling, you decide to file a complaint under the German General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), we will accompany and support you free of charge in dealing with the company.
We also offer advice to employers, witnesses, trusted persons, or equal opportunities officers who are involved in cases of sexual harassment. Simply contact us during our consultation hours or schedule an appointment.
Our team
The Themis team consists of eight women. Our legal advisors are experienced employment law specialists and experts in cases of sexual harassment and violence. They will outline possible legal steps for you. You can speak with our psychologists about your experiences. One of the key goals is to help you identify options for action within your work environment. If needed, our team will also gladly refer you to other appropriate support services.
How we're organised
The Themis Trust Center against sexual harassment and violence is a registered non-profit association. It is supported and funded by institutions within the cultural and media industries. In addition to industry organizations, broadcasters, and associations, funding is also provided by Amazon, Netflix, the Collecting Society of Film and Television Producers (VFF), and the Society for the Administration of Ancillary Copyrights (GVL).
The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media also supports the Themis Trust Center.
List of industry institutions
- Produktionsallianz (Alliance of German Producers - Film & Television)
- ARD
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dokumentarfilm e.V. (AG Dok)
- Bundesmusikverband Chor & Orchester e. V. (BMCO)
- Bundesverband Casting (BVC)
- Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste e.V. (BFDK)
- Bundesverband Produktion Film und Fernsehen e. V. (BvP)
- Bundesverband Regie (BVR)
- Bundesverband Schauspiel (BFFS)
- Bundesverband der Konzert- und Veranstaltungswirtschaft (BDKV) e. V.
- Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI)
- Bundesvereinigung Maskenbild (BVM)
- Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle
- Deutsche Akademie für Fernsehen (DAfF)
- Deutsche Film und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB)
- Deutsche Filmakademie
- Deutscher Bühnenverein (DBV)
- Deutscher Komponist:innenverband e. V. (DKV)
- Deutscher Musikrat
- Deutsche Welle
- Deutsche Musical Akademie e. V.
- Deutschlandradio
- Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH (FABW)
- Genossenschaft Deutscher Bühnen-Angehöriger (GDBA)
- Hochschule für bildende Künste Dresden (HfBKDD)
- Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg (HfbK Hamburg)
- Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden (HfMDD)
- Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg (HfMT Hamburg)
- Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln (HfMT Köln)
- Pro Musik e. V.
- Pro Quote Film e. V.
- PROG Producers of Germany e.V.
- Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart (HMDK Stuttgart)
- Unisono - Deutsche Musik- und Orchestervereinigung e.V.
- Vereinigung deutscher Opern- und Tanzensembles e. V. (VdO)
- Ver.di.
- Verband der Agenturen (VdA)
- Verband Privater Medien – VAUNET
- Verband Deutscher Nachwuchsagenturen (VdNA Film e. V.)
- Verband unabhängiger Musikunternehmer*innen e. V. (VUT)
- ZDF
How you can
support us
We enjoy helping people and really appreciate it when others want to support us. To do this, you can make donations or sponsor our prevention seminars. As we’re a non-profit association, you’ll always get a donation receipt from us.
IBAN: DE91 1009 0000 2740 4970 09
BIC: BEVODEBB