People everywhere were captivated watching One Tree Hill for nine seasons, whether we watched it when it was on TV from 2003 to 2012, or binge watched it on our couches when it was released on Netflix, but our hearts broke when Netflix removed our beloved river court and favorite on screen love story back in October.
Our hearts are now further crushed finding out that women who worked for the show were sexually harassed by writer and producer for the show Mark Schwahn. Audrey Wauchope worked with Schwahn and was the one who released a written letter accusing Schwahn of sexually harassment. About 18 female crew members were affected in many degrees psychogically and emotionally and according to the written statement that was released by Wauchope, she mentioned that a few still are in need of treatment from post-traumatic stress.
Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz and other female cast members released a statement to ABC News in response to the accusations. The letter mentions how the women kept each other accountable by talking about his actions and behaviors in safe spaces they created and protected one another while on set. Aside of the letter the female cast members released, they also used their social media platforms to respond to such actions that took place while the show was filming. The lead male cast members Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty posted statements on their twitter pages how proud they were of the OTH women and are playing a part to be the change in treating everyone equally and with respect.
We viewed the river court and Karen’s as safe places for the characters on the show, but it become a place for these women that they feared. They did not want to get touched and they did not want to be called into a room because they were attractive and he only wanted one thing, they just wanted to create something that would help teens and young adults fight their way through battles, now it is our turn to give them a safe space.
http://fanvasion.com/2004/03/one-tree-hill-oh-what-a-tangeled-web-they-w…