Topic

On Monday morning, Nov 21, my character was sexually harassed and the offender pretended to rape me. The player was not suspended, even though another player who only joked about rape was.

I'm a in a group that takes shifts on Wickdoon Mood to tend the trees there. While on shift, a typical troublemaker became aggressive and raped my character. He went up behind my character moving rapidly back and forth. He then commented on the state of my ass after performing the action, and taunted me by laughing with the '3' key.

I was horrified, and I told only close friends about what happened. I had never used the 'abuse' system and was hesitant because of the nature of the abuse. Live chat finally encouraged me it report. When did, I recieved this message from staff:

"Thank you for your report. We have taken note and will keep aware of any further reports related to this player. I suggest that you block this player to keep them from harassing you. In the future please use the 'Report Abuse' right away so that we can see the context and what was said. Thank you."

The ToS state "...all of your activities in connection with the Service ... are automatically logged" and yet there are no records of the event, not in local, or private, or live help chat? Even worse was the insinuation that my rape report wasn't good enough to do anything except 'keep aware' of him until he abused someone else. I tried dismissing it as a mistake on behalf of staff for losing or erasing the logs, and assumed Tiny Speck only punished players who interfered with the game itself.

Then I learned Tiny Speck suspended a player for saying 'rape' as a joke. I am furious. If a rape joke is a suspendable offense, a rape act should be worthy of a ban. My rapist is permitted to walk around free to taunt me, while a controversial character makes a dumb joke and gets the boot. I joined glitch because a friend told me it was not a place where I could get murdered, assaulted, or raped. Now every time I see my rapist online I want to play less and less, and I'm now at the point of quitting.

So I want justice. Either way Glitch is going to lose a player. Tiny Speck can either ban the rapist troll (they know who it is), or forfeit a long time benefactor and contributer.

Since glitch is one big community, I would like to appeal to that community now. If I've ever traded or cooperated with you, partied with you, had an engaging conversation or in any way treated you with kindness, please stand up for me now in the comments and vouch for my honesty and good character.

I cannot continue to play in the same game as the person who raped my character. If Tiny Speck really wants to make a statement about rape, punish the actual rapists, not just fools who make dumb jokes. 

Posted 12 months ago by zZzZzZzZ Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

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  • Is it bad that I can't even tell if this is supposed to be a joke or not?
    Posted 12 months ago by Lrdwhyt Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I, Djoe6897, state that Vermillion is more than a decent player and person. 
    Posted 12 months ago by Djoe6897 Subscriber! | Permalink
  • There isn't actually a rape option so "went up behind my character moving rapidly back and forth" means nothing. If you look at it, he would just be bumping into you.

    Edit: the comment he made on the other hand is a different story.
    Posted 12 months ago by Vinchon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Wait, glitchen have genitals now!? WHERE!
    Posted 12 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @vinchon "He then commented on the state of my ass after performing the action, and taunted me by laughing with the '3' key. " if something was said in local chat or in writing, it seems pretty clear
    Posted 12 months ago by Djoe6897 Subscriber! | Permalink
  • That is pretty serious... but if you told a developer they should be sorting it out (I hope).
    Posted 12 months ago by A Problem Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Oh crap.  I don't know you but I am horrified.  I came to Glitch because it was supposed to be a friendly, community game.  I'm sorry this happened.
    Posted 12 months ago by MontytheGeek Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Vermilion has been well-behaved and well-spoken, honest and forthright in any Glitch dealings I have had with him.
    Posted 12 months ago by zoesera Subscriber! | Permalink
  • On top of that, that same guy would report anyone who interacted with him.

    I really hope something gets done about this, injustice and laziness after reading something like this is wrong, if something like that had  happened where logs were erased, the player should notified about the fault. 

    You can quickly ban something if someone provides screen-shots, but you don't have some sort of search engine to look for the same text the player had given to you to look into the logs and instantly get the information you need. There should be no delay.

     Just take that Ajaya Bliss example Tamarnouche pointed out, logs where used against him FOR FEEDING PEOPLE and counted as abuse wtf is up with that?! While this guy gets raped and nothing instantly gets done.

    I know there's only so much someone can do, but I want an answer why this wasn't considered priority. And it should apply not to only a  benefactor and not be heeded more if from a greeter.

    Thank you.  Sorry for being angry.

    I know Vermillion as a benefactor for sure and not someone who would abuse the resources that he has to take action. 

    EDIT (3/19/12) Going to add what his friend said.

    You know, this pisses me right the hell off. I saw your post a few hours ago, but by that time, the whole thing was locked. And why the whole thing made me so terribly angry is the fact that when such a cool person was made to feel that uncomfortable, it doesn't matter if it's "just a game" or not. It doesn't mean that you're trivializing anything -- I certainly didn't feel trivialized, and I'm going through the fallout from some of this real-life ugliness as we speak -- and it certainly doesn't mean that you're doing it for the drama. And it makes me genuinely sad that we're losing you. Maybe it means nothing to most, but for me it's harder and harder to get out. It's difficult to even use Facebook or G+ -- I don't even want my name out there because I don't want to be found. Glitch is all I have right now. And yeah, I'm in therapy, and yeah, it helps, but you know what? People are awful, awful creatures. They're terrible. They're worse than any monster H.P. Lovecraft could ever cook up. But, you know something? I've seen some examples of the contrary on Glitch. And on here I can be silly and creative and mischievous -- you know, the person I'm supposed to be. I didn't ask to be stalked. I didn't ask to have a crazy roommate become obsessed with me and harass my family and friends. I didn't ask for him to follow me whenever I left the house. And I didn't ask for him to put a keylogger on my computer and cameras in the bathroom to watch me in the shower. The day I found them -- you can imagine my horror and hysteria. But the worst part? He's using the legal system to victimize me over and over. A few weeks ago, he appointed himself his own attorney. He said in court he was doing this to bully me on the stand, which the judge was okay with. Then he wanted access to all the tapes me made of me, and had them delivered to the jail. So, apparently cell-block D has seen me in the shower, too. I haven't slept since that day in court, and that was nearly a month ago. I've lost about ten pounds, too. Other than work, I don't leave the house because I'm downright terrified. I don't want you to leave. Maybe it's purely selfish, yeah. But you didn't know all of that fifteen minutes ago. Think of all the people you've met on this game who've you've maybe made their lives a little bit more livable, too. You've made them laugh, you've made their day slightly more bearable. Or, just this: When this place is overrun with idiots and assbags, at least you're one of the few shining examples of what a good Glitchen should be.

    I don't know how she wanted to use line breaks on that, lol.
    Posted 12 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm dead serious about this. It is not a joke. His actions were inexcusable and nothing was done.
    Posted 12 months ago by zZzZzZzZ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Djoe6897 All that is, is verbal sexual harassment. You can't actually "rape" anyone in the game as there is no option for that. That's what I'm getting at.
    Posted 12 months ago by Vinchon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I also nO that vermillion is a great, honest and trustworthy person as also throws great partys :)
    Posted 12 months ago by Santa Clause Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Vinchon, trying to minimize what happened makes you look like you're defending the behavior.  
    Posted 12 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Rook: "I know there's only so much someone can do, but I want an answer why this wasn't considered priority." — What makes you say it wasn't considered a priority?

    Vermillion: "His actions were inexcusable and nothing was done." — What makes you say nothing was done?
    Posted 12 months ago by stoot barfield Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I vouch for (Vermilion) as well. @ Vinchon there may not be an "option" but someone obviously got "revoltingly creative". I have seen this time and time again in other games as well how this revolting creativity has gotten just as vile as what Vermilion is describing. 
    Posted 12 months ago by Casombra Amberrose Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I was sexually harassed by two players in Ajaya a while back. It went on for a while and there were plenty of witnesses. They both still have active accounts:/
    Posted 12 months ago by Geeki Yogini Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think verbal sexual harrassment is certainly not something that should be allowed here, but I don't think you need to go as far as to say he "raped" you.
    Posted 12 months ago by Vinchon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Vermilion is a good and trustworthy player, but I'm not sure how to respond to this post. Assuming it's not some kind of bizarre joke or trolling effort, and taking note that I personally am not a victim of any kind of sexual violence - I would think it's a little insulting to equate this harassment with the actual, physical experience of rape. Worse than the Messy Monster "Imma rape you all" comment, though? Yes, I would say so.
    Posted 12 months ago by Effigy Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Vinchon why do you really have to prove your point that something isn't to an exact level? It was pretty well simulated to me.
    Posted 12 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink
  • These forums are getting better than the Maury Povich show. 
    Posted 12 months ago by Black Francis Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I support Vermillion. Every time I have talked with him, he has always acted respectfully towards me.
    Posted 12 months ago by Jeasilver Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Verm is one of the most honest, fair and VALUABLE players I've run across in this game. I take his concerns very seriously. 
    Posted 12 months ago by tis Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Stoot as in priority to every other case that occurred since. I at least want to hear staff side, there's most likely a legit reason. 
    Posted 12 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Interesting historical case study on the concept of "rape" online, and if it can be considered such: http://www.juliandibbell.com/articles/a-rape-in-cyberspace/ (from 1993)

    Even though I myself have been on the receiving end of sexual harassment here, I also want to add that there is an important balance between free speech and protecting players from hate speech. The other day a glitch friend got a warning for making an 'anal rapist' reference to Arrested Development. Is that going to far?

    I do not envy those at TS for having to work these issues out.
    Posted 12 months ago by Geeki Yogini Subscriber! | Permalink
  • What TS can do is log things like chat right? But they can't see the actual situation like you described of what he was doing unless you have a video recording or screenshot of some sort.
    Posted 12 months ago by Vinchon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • And on top of that, seeing how the case is resolved, I'm just making conjectures (fallible/lame whatever) until I get to hear something.
    Posted 12 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I would also like to voice my support for Vermilion. Players like him are what make the game worth playing. 
    Posted 12 months ago by TarynXVII Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I am just.. appalled as many here. What this person did is WORSE than what another did that DID get suspended.
    Posted 12 months ago by Casombra Amberrose Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Oh my... No other comments necessary.
    Posted 12 months ago by Liza Throttlebottom Subscriber! | Permalink
  • No, disciplinary information about a user is NOT public information.

    I don't know where people got the idea that staff ignored this.  Perhaps the conclusion is:  I want that other player immediately forced to apologize to me and then be banned.  And if that doesn't happen, then clearly staff didn't do anything and ignored my report.  

    You cannot assume that because you didn't get full information about how staff responded that they didn't respond at all.
    Posted 12 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • To the staff that answered: I have these questions:
    If this incident was considered a priority, did you informed the victim of the incident, that it was?
    If something was done about it, did you informed the victim of the incident what exactly was done about it??
    Posted 12 months ago by Jeasilver Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Someone verbalizing ugly thoughts is not the same thing as actual rape. I think that claiming that the actions of a game sprite cannot be compared to rape, no matter how ugly those words are. I think that correlation is socially offensive. As someone who has twice had to suppport and care for friends after they were ACTUALLY raped, this post makes me stabby. 

    That player was griefing Vermilion for sure, and that is WRONG, and I'm sure that what he was saying was very offensive, but in a game you can Ignore a player, teleport to a secure location, etc. - no violent, forcible rape is truly possible, and I don't think any of you should be collaborating in such an offensive fiction.
    Posted 12 months ago by Aviatrix Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I can't believe what I'm reading here. I thought this was a joke til I read thru a few comments. What are you thinking?? Can a bunch of pixels be "raped"? You were *insulted*, not *assaulted*. You must have been incredably sheltered and protected in your life to take this so seriously. Someone was a jerk to you. That happens. Please try to get some perspective, get angry about the things that happen in real life. Perhaps reading a newspaper or listening to world news would help you to judge the importance of that offense.
    Posted 12 months ago by Phoebe Springback Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Jeasilver: We don't publicly post the details of abuse reports or the actions we take for obvious reasons — that doesn't mean we aren't doing anything.

    Everyone: We have plenty of logs: we don't need video captures or screenshots to be able to tell what happened.
    Posted 12 months ago by stoot barfield Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Rook well simulated? Really?

    @Effigy "I would think it's a little insulting to equate this harassment with the actual, physical experience of rape. Worse than the Messy Monster "Imma rape you all" comment, though? Yes, I would say so."

    This was what I was trying to say. You can definitely charge him with sexual harassment with the comments that he had made, but that should be about it.

    And again I'm not defending this behavior.
    Posted 12 months ago by Vinchon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @ Stoot: I want to know why there was no record of what he did. If action was taken against him, it didn't show, because he still comes to my known hangouts to bother me. I've been simmering about this incident for a long time when I saw that there was action taken for another player but not for me, I don't even know how to describe what I feel.
    Posted 12 months ago by zZzZzZzZ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Vermilion, just so you're clear:

    The other player was not banned.  They have been back online since the suspension.  They announced that they were voluntarily deleting their account.  Staff did not delete it.

    There was no 'record' to see.
    Posted 12 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I want to clarify I am NOT saying this event is equivalent to a real-life rape, nor am I trying to undermine the experiences of rape survivors.

    The words the player spoke to me clearly indicated that his movements were intended to be taken as rape. this is the first mmo I've played in years because I've always hated thing like killing and 'teabagging' and things like that. I don't want to see that person anymore, and I feel this so strongly that I'm willing to quit and give away the things I've earned since joining in june.
    Posted 12 months ago by zZzZzZzZ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Vermillion when you say killing you mean like PvP?
    Posted 12 months ago by Vinchon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Bah I just teleported to Wickdoon Mood to see if you were there and to hang out with you to watch if that person came back . Your not there =/
    Posted 12 months ago by Casombra Amberrose Subscriber! | Permalink
  • There should be a personal reply to you to let you know what action or non-action is being taken.  This was an inexcusable incident and everyone should be concerned.  No, Glitches do NOT have genitals and YES, his actions might be considered "Bumping" but it seems obvious to me that "Bumping" was NOT what he thought he was doing.  IMO, there is no excuse for this behavior and there is no room in Glitch for persons who do it.
    Posted 12 months ago by Brib Annie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @screenshots, I just meant that maybe they would be easier to look at. Of COURSE, I have not experience with IT or owning a business or service and MMO to the public so dealing with customers/players... I have no idea. I don't know what was done behind the scenes. I was angry and vented.

    And like Verm said I'm pretty sure he said rape  but would've been better to have said rape in the concept of doing so...

    And then Vichoon and and WB were trying to make it easier for us to calm down (if anyone panicked) and realize what was going on in the situation.

    And stuff still remains.

    But the net result that, that player is no more despite what questions are left unanswered.

    @Brib Annie you pretty much covered what we want to ask.

    @Vichoon my main point was, do you have to correct everything we say? If  we say something do you really thing people's ideals will instantly shift? (Although you never know to what magnitude something like that could occur).
    Posted 12 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink
  • So everything less than actual rape is okay? I think not. Words AND actions which put rape in a positive or humorous light only brings us closer to normalizing/desensitizing us to the horrible reality of rape. Rape is a serious thing and rape culture is despicable. 
    Posted 12 months ago by tis Subscriber! | Permalink
  • this is one seriously dumb thread.

    it's not possible to "rape" someone in this game. if someone says something offensive, screenshot it and report it. to threaten to quit over this event is childish. welcome to the internet.
    Posted 12 months ago by Ed Anger Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Vermillion: we do not share the results of moderation with anyone but the player being reported, and many of the actions we take against players in these situations are not and never will be visible to either the reporting player or the wider Glitch community. The actions taken against a player's account will always be confidential. 

    If the player continued to bother you in a less abusive way, blocking them is the best way to limit your continued exposure to them. And, if the harassing continues at a similar level, we need to know that through the abuse report system as well in order to take the appropriate steps. 

    I'm sorry you had this experience, truly, and want to emphasize that we do not consider the behavior you mentioned ok.
    Posted 12 months ago by Blanky Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Everyone has an opinion but very few of us have any information.  The only people who have a right to decide here work for TS because they're the only ones with access to all of the information required to make a balanced decision.  WE can get our panties all in a twist about what we perceive to be inaction simply because we don't know EXACTLY how TS has dealt with the player, but I think that we should extend a fair bit of trust their way: they care about the success of the game, they are clearly very invested in the enjoyment of its players and have shown us that they're not out to make a quick buck but to create something that endures.   

    Vermillion, I am very sorry that a player abused you.   From what everyone here has said you seem like a respectful and generous Glitch.

    That being said, I don't think that the forums are the place for you to make demands for information.  I hope that you are able to reach a satisfying resolution here and that you continue to play.  Please have some faith in TS, too.
    Posted 12 months ago by Sloppy Ketchup Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Vinchon: I'm a sensitive person and I don't like playing any game where a player can kill another. Glitch is currently the only mmo I play, and only only joined in the first place at the request of my friend, Cerulean, who is my irl best friend and the inspiration for my character name.

    @Casombra: No, the person I posted about regularly visits wickdoon mood and I don't ever want to see him again. I'm resigning as administrator from the club that guards the street, but I have promted many trusted players who can continue my work there. right now I'm inside my house. I'm upset and I don't want to speak with anyone in chat.
    Posted 12 months ago by zZzZzZzZ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • > @Vichoon my main point was, do you have to correct everything we say? If  we say something do you really thing people's ideals will instantly shift? (Although you never know to what magnitude something like that could occur).

    Yes, because saying that you were raped is a misrepresentation of the situation. Vermilion, if what he claims is true, was sexually harassed. Those two are completely different acts, and it is important to distinguish between them, especially when you're trying to get someone banned.

    > So everything less than actual rape is okay? I think not. Words AND actions which put rape in a positive or humorous light only brings us closer to normalizing/desensitizing us to the horrible reality of rape. Rape is a serious thing and rape culture is despicable.

    No one said that.

    Also, I highly doubt the sexual harasser in question is really a rapist in real life. It's probably some immature kid who thinks it's funny.
    Posted 12 months ago by Lrdwhyt Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @rook I'm only trying to point out the rape part.

    I mean go up to someone in real life and bump into them repeatedly and make the same comments this guy made. They will certainly then charge you with sexual harassment, but will you be charged with rape even if your intended "bumping" was to simulate rape?

    @Vermillion I mean I can understand that although many many MMOs out there have PvP. This isn't something anyone should have to go through, and I do hope you don't go through that again with another player.
    Posted 12 months ago by Vinchon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Fair enough Verm <huge hugs> I am sorry this has hurt the game for you. Your a good friend sad that this jerk forced you to quit what you enjoyed doing.
    Posted 12 months ago by Casombra Amberrose Subscriber! | Permalink
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