Watch out for creepy “mentors”!!

I know this is super random, but I'm on my soapbox tonight. I was working in the animation industry as a recent grad. I was eager and wanted nothing more than to succeed and move out to LA. I had a supervisor that was acting unprofessional towards me, as a young 20 year old young woman. I kept reciepts and sent it to the studio he and I worked for at the time.

All I got back was, "you are a freelancer and therefor we have no responsibility to project you. I guess I get that for legal reasons." However, I was thoroughly scared of this man and he continued to follow me to other freelancer positions. He had more sway as a much older man in the industry. He talked bad about me to my employers at other jobs. Eventually I had enough. There was no legal safeguards for me. I was told that I would have to wait until something physical happened, like an assault, to be able to properly report him. I wasn't willing to let that happen. 
So I quit the industry and became an Elementary art teacher. I know it must seem like a massive downgrade, and in some ways it is. And yet I will see the effects of my work much longer than I ever would making some crummy commercial or episode. There a legal safeguards to protect me in this system, and I mostly work with women! 

Anyhow, young women and men, your potential future is not worth your body. Be careful. There are people that know you're desperate and will try their best to take advantage of you. Be smart and safe. And if you're really determined to stay in this industry, you'll get another in. I promise. Best wishes.