Time's up for Hollywood harassment, say leading actors

Actors Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston and powerful TV producer Shonda Rhimes are among hundreds of Hollywood women who have formed an anti-harassment coalition called Time's Up.

The initiative was launched Monday with an open letter in The New York Times vowing support for women in the entertainment business and beyond, from cleaners to health care workers.

Time's Up will include a legal defence fund and will advocate for legislation to combat workplace harassment.

The letter said: "We particularly want to lift up the voices, power and strength of women working in low-wage industries where the lack of financial stability makes them vulnerable to high rates of gender-based violence and exploitation.

"The struggle for women to break in, to rise up the ranks and to simply be heard and acknowledged in male-dominated workplaces must end; time's up on this impenetrable monopoly," said the letter.

Time's Up also is backing the movement for women to wear black, in solidarity with those who have been sexually harassed, at Sunday's Golden Globes ceremony.

Donators to Time's Up defence fund range from actors Meryl Streep and Viola Davis to singer Taylor Swift and director J.J. Abrams.

Dozens of men have faced harassment and assault allegations in recent months, including producer Harvey Weinstein, television host Charlie Rose and actor Kevin Spacey.