Topic

gender/sexual orientation based harassment

hey all,

i've been having a wonderful time in glitch so far, such a beautiful culture of sharing and generally amazing folks. however, this afternoon in ajaya bliss i was harassed by two trolls for being female. for about 30 min everyone present was subject to their they homophobic and misogynstic hate speech.

a few of us blocked and reported them. but, we discovered there was no way to mute/ignore them in the local chat so if we wanted to keep mining we had to keep being exposed to it.

so, i'd like to propose two things:

1.) implement an ignore feature so users can protect themselves
2.) update the ToS to include an intolerance of sexist and homophobic language. right now, it only includes racism:

"Unwelcome Content and Conduct: You agree not to: post, email or otherwise transmit any content, or use the API in connection with any Licensee Application or content, that (i) is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, excessively violent, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, pornographic, libelous, invasive of another's privacy, racially hateful, ethnically or otherwise objectionable"

Posted 15 months ago by Geeki Yogini Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • +1!
    Posted 15 months ago by ardentmoon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Seconded. While Glitch is has an almost-always-amazing community, we need to be protected from and have methods for dealing with those who do not want to play nice.
    Posted 15 months ago by Auspex Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Sorry to hear this has happened to you. No excuse for this type of behaviour. What the
    @#**^ is going on around here?
    Posted 15 months ago by Saba Moon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Ugh, even on glitch some people can be such tools. I'm sorry to heart this, but I agree whole heartedly.
    Posted 15 months ago by Shmoopsy Poo Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I agree with this post entirely because unfortunately I also witnessed the trolling earlier today. It made me feel very uncomfortable and I wanted to stop playing because of it.
    Posted 15 months ago by Mani Redlyn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think this easily fits under "otherwise objectionable" but it seems like a good idea to codify it in some way. +1
    Posted 15 months ago by Keymo Machine Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Geeki Yogini: we are very sorry that that happened. That kind of harassment is totally unacceptable and we have zero tolerance. It will always take some time to deal with situations as they arise, but we will do our best to act quickly once we are made aware.

    Please don't let that dissuade you from playing: the overwhelming majority of players are really great, interesting, friendly, intelligent and generally cool people.

    Also, updating the T.O.S. to make that explicit is a good idea. We will do it.

    ETA: We do have a block feature, but it does not hide blocked players' chat activity in local or other chat channels (just from IMing you, friending you, following you, etc.) The rationale was that hiding it entirely made the conversations confusing since other players would still be responding to the people you had blocked. We have been debating changes to this, so we're see.
    Posted 15 months ago by stoot barfield Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I was going to put this in another post, but I think it fits here.

    I haven't noticed anything with the piggies, but I've noticed an overwhelming number of chickens labeled with a homophobic epithet that I won't repeat. It's similar to "nugget" but doesn't rhyme.

    I don't know if any naming checks can be put into place, but to our players that can name animals, please rename any offending names immediately. I'm learning Animal Kinship 5 specifically for this reason.

    I'm not actually surprised about any of this. Because Glitch is free and has low hardware requirements and is the new hotness, the entirety of the internet is descending upon it, including all the jerks. While the game is not intended for the under-17 set, I would not be surprised if the game had a large teenage demographic playing at the moment. I would not even be surprised if that large demographic was playing from school.

    Anyway, I wanted to bring that to people's attention and I'm thrilled Tiny Speck takes this so seriously.
    Posted 15 months ago by Crifmer Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @stoot thanks for your reply. yes, 99% of my time in glitch has been amazing. i'm not going anywhere, i love glitch:D

    sadly, one of the trolls is back in ajaya bliss. it makes me feel really uncomfortable that he's still there, even though a bunch of us reported his abuse. will he be banned?
    Posted 15 months ago by Geeki Yogini Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm surprised that stuff is happening here as well, our glitchian bodies are quite androgynous anyway, so your gender is more in the clothes you wear.
    Posted 15 months ago by Demetra Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I fully support the idea of the block feature also blocking ALL chat channels as well as the other things that are already blocked. I had a problem earlier tonight where a player was spamming huge walls of text, that took up the entire portion (plus) of my local chat area. I blocked them, but it didn't let me ignore their disruptive chat. Basically, the avenue I needed to block (or mute) them wasn't there. Ignore is a valuable feature -- it helps us protect ourselves and deal with minor problems like spam without having to file reports and waste support's time.

    I'm sorry that happened to you, Geeki. That just isn't right.
    Posted 15 months ago by Gant Subscriber! | Permalink
  • i'd also like to add that since it seems to take a while for users to be banned (if indeed that's what happens if you harass other players) that it is really necessary to give everyone an ignore function that blocks all communication from an abusive player.

    i'd rather be mildly confused in chat than be subjected to harassment for another half an hour.
    Posted 15 months ago by Geeki Yogini Subscriber! | Permalink
  • New policy - we all strip and have a peace and love party whenever someone starts being hateful.  Spam them out with hearts and flowers and rainbows and back-to-nature frolicking glitch bodies.
    Posted 15 months ago by Space Core Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The general public sucks. Seriously. I never thought being in Beta was so great until the last few days. I've seen the creeps come out unlike before. Let's stick together like good little Glitches to make sure this game is fun for all.
    Posted 15 months ago by Eye Wonder Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Agreed!
    Posted 15 months ago by le beebs Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I came in during the middle of these trolls and my heart went out to you Geeki. I reported it then headed over to live help to ask for a dev to come help mediate the situation. I tried to explain it to them the best I could and they said to report it and block them (which of course had already been done). I ended up just leaving Ajaya because it was too frustrating to stay in that environment. I don't know if anyone did show up since I left, but I really hope they did. That was a terrible environment!

    Please change it so when we block someone it blocks all communication. I don't care if someone else responds to them and causes me a little confusion. I'd rather not see the offensive parts and only have part of the conversation showing up.
    Posted 15 months ago by Avery♥ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • thanks for your kind words everyone:) i tried not to let it get to me. cliche but my reason for posting here is i want to help make sure other people don't have to experience the same thing.
    Posted 15 months ago by Geeki Yogini Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Perhaps the "block" feature could stay the same, but we could additionally have an "ignore all" feature which would make their public chat invisible to us as well. 
    Posted 15 months ago by glum pudding Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think the block and "ignore all" is a great idea.

    My two cents is that an Ignore feature with a global scope which leads to the odd one-sided "confusing" conversation has actually proven both amusing and edifying to me in other virtual environments -- the latter because you're still privy to the larger conversation and you discover who's willing to take a stand and call for civility. I've made liberal use of Ignore in the past and the "confusion" mostly served to remind me that I'd made the right choice.
    Posted 15 months ago by Hydi Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Glum, I was about to suggest that myself. Have a basic, as-is Block function, and then have it pop up with a notification saying "Would you like to ignore this person in chat as well?" and yes/no buttons.
    Posted 15 months ago by Biohazard Subscriber! | Permalink
  • We all know what I'm going to say so yeah.

    +A million.
    Posted 15 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I played something many years ago - and I can't even remember what - that replaced chat from blocked users with [Blocked User Comment] or something similar, if that would be workable it might solve the confusion in general conversation.
    Posted 15 months ago by Lyn Frog, Esq Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @lily frog - that's a great idea!
    Posted 15 months ago by Geeki Yogini Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm really sorry to hear this, Geeki Yogini. 

    Agree on having an ignore feature. Given the option between potential further harassment (it might, understandably, take some time to investigate reports) and confusion, I'm guessing most would opt for the former.  Lily Frog's suggestion looks like a good way to lessen any confusion. 
    Posted 15 months ago by Christine Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm behind Lily Frog's proposal. No one should have to put up with listening to such rude, immature and frankly infuriating comments.

    The only issue I see with Lily's proposal is with spammers - does anyone remember that time in chat where someone kept posting the same letter over and over and over? We would just see a string of [blocked comment] [blocked comment] [blocked comment]...

    I've been in other games/situations where I've completely blocked users. Yeah, it's been a little confusing now and again, but in general I quickly realize "oh, they're talking to someone I blocked" and it's never been a problem. I'd rather be a little confused than put up with spam or even worse with racist/sexist/homophobic/etc. comments.
    Posted 15 months ago by Seylah Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Hi. Your biggest weapon against a@#%holes like these is to really not give a toss. The whole purpose of their behaviour is to upset people. Clearly this has worked.

    I do think that people get offended very easily these days and assume they should be able to go through life never being offended. Well as adults we really shouldn't expect that.

    I 100% agree that we should be able to block these idiots. I agree that they should be banned or have some kind of sanctions against them.

    But people need to be less sensitive, more robust and generally give these gits no ammo.

    This is in no way a 'go' at the OP or anyone that complains. This is just my view about life and living offensive people.

    Take care.

    Accy
    Posted 15 months ago by Accy Subscriber! | Permalink
  • oh yes, please do change or add a complimentary feature that would allow us to mute somebody's chat.  as said upthread, a bit of confusion is a small price to pay.  and if we could access a list of people we've shushed to remove the silencer easily, all the better. 
    Posted 15 months ago by katlazam Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Another one chiming in for an mute feature. The way we've all learned to deal with harassment is to ignore (as in do not respond), mute, & then report. Having an effective mute option in the chat may ultimately reduce the amount of reporting & time spent behind the scenes because, for many, once they realize they've been ignored & muted, they'll stop and not be as tempted to do it again. The satisfaction comes not from being an ignorant jerk, but from the response - if they're not getting that, then why do it.
    Posted 15 months ago by Vera Strange Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 - call it "Shun."  I'd be very glad to be able to Shun someone who was making themselves unpleasant.
    Posted 15 months ago by Yarrow Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +infinity to calling it Shun!
    Posted 15 months ago by Biohazard Subscriber! | Permalink
  • + one for "shun."
    Posted 15 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @accy, i agree with you that people tend to get offended very easily about silly things and that trolls should be ignored. i didn't respond to them in the hopes they would go away, which didn't exactly work. but i think it's a bit much to equate being easily offended with being upset by having to sit through two people directing hate speech at you for an extended period. 

    sure we like to think that stuff on the internet doesnt hurt as much as 'real life' but i dont think that's the case. if someone from a racial minority was forced to sit through two people harassing him for an extended period, and he got upset, would you say he's easily offended? 

    the issue is that women and minorities still face discrimination, so every time it happens it just reinforces that inequality. it's not a one time thing. the more it happens the more upsetting it is. 

    glitch is my happy place, and so it is one of the few places i hope i can avoid the sometimes crappiness of the real world. my desire in posting here is not about simply being easily offended, but wanting to do something about it. 

    should i have just put up with the trolling rather than making suggestions here?
    Posted 15 months ago by Geeki Yogini Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 to shun
    +1 million if it includes related Candy Mountain commentary
    Posted 15 months ago by Creatrix Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Geeki Yogini - Never put up with abuse!  You did the right thing reporting it and bringing it to the attention of the community.  If those griefers pick me for their next target I am forewarned and will not be as surprised as I would have been before this thread.

    I am lucky as I have not been the target of griefers so far but I have not been where they might have been wanting to drive me away either and I suspect that was the real goal of those people - to drive people out of the prized mining area!
    Posted 15 months ago by Reni's Mum Subscriber! | Permalink
  • "should i have just put up with the trolling rather than making suggestions here?"

    No for sure you should not have to put up with it.  My point was about their purpose and it's effectiveness so you do what you need to do to reduce that.  My view would be ignore and/or report and leave it at that. 

    Complete blocking would be nice - it would even be nice for them to know they have been blocked - so +1 to the best feature above that explains that option

    I am lucky that I have not been harassed in this way being middle class white male pretty much means I am the majority in most groups (although I suspect female may be the majority here - only a guess)

    I did once encounter assH on poker - my profile picture was of my daughter and when I asked the two players to stop telling us what cards they had they started calling my daughter abusive names.  I reported them and did not respond.  I continued to watch them as they tried to further rile me - eventually I called a wanker by one and he quit the game - they other went all in to try to make some final gesture and another player beat him - he too called me a wanker and left.  They seemed more upset that I did not respond.  I later blocked them and having bumped into them again at later sessions I have no idea if they continued their abuse or if they forgot who I was - I really do not care either way.

    Anyway I hope you get the new ignore feature and it works better

    There is little I can do as a player but if you need anything just shout and I will be happy to help

    Accy
    Posted 15 months ago by Accy Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Sometimes it is good to cut and run. Leave the scene.

    If you are being harrassed LEAVE.
    I realize it is hard to bite your lip and give in but believe me it is the easiest way. If you stay in a bad situation when you can just walk away you set yourself up for further harm. It is no different from Real Life.
    Posted 15 months ago by napabeth Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thank you everyone for your comments here. The behavior mentioned by the OP is not tolerated, and abuse reports really help us in tracking comments of that nature down amidst all of the chat noise in-game. 

    I also see people talking a lot about Block functions, which we are currently thinking about, extensively (and I've been listening carefully here as well). But, if you want to continue on with that discussion, please open a thread about it in the Ideas forum, as this is getting off topic from the original issue. 
    Posted 15 months ago by Blanky Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Maybe, I'm crazy... But whatever happened to just actually ignoring it? Remembering that it's THE INTERNET - and you don't have to read every word on it? I just don't get how seriously everyone is taking this (though it is nice seeing staff listen to the forums). Yeah, it sucks when someone is yelling slurs but it's just not the end of the world. You don't need an ignore feature implemented or changed to make the decision to ignore someone yourself. You reported it, that's all you need to do.

    "sure we like to think that stuff on the internet doesnt hurt as much as 'real life' but i dont think that's the case. if someone from a racial minority was forced to sit through two people harassing him for an extended period, and he got upset, would you say he's easily offended?"

    I mean, really. No one is handcuffed to the keyboard, no one is locked in Ajaya Bliss. You can, and should walk away if you're becoming upset to that level. If you can't ignore, and you won't remove yourself from the situation, then... why complain? You didn't have to sit through it at that point, you chose to.

    As to your question over whether or not you should have just put up with it instead of posting, all I can say is that this is public. Everyone who wants to can show up. It's the internet, no matter where you go you can't realistically expect sunshine, lollipops and rainbows to be shooting out of everyone's butt. What did you expect?
    Posted 15 months ago by Kipton Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Yes, we take these things serious. Glitch has a wonderful community that doesn't put up with players terrorizing local or global chat with their hateful speech. You may not have seen anything like this for a long time on the internet, but it's not impossible.

    :)
    Posted 15 months ago by Victoria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Kipton... from your lips to GOD's ears.  Glitch is for grown ups who hopefully have learned to cope without a baby sitter. I know it hurts if you hear something mean but DON"t Take It to Heart.
    By doing so you are giving power to the Abuser.
    Posted 15 months ago by napabeth Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm going to lock this thread, because I don't want anyone to get the message that a) offensive language referencing sexual violence or b) abusive hate speech towards any group is ok in this community. It's not, full stop. If you want to reserve the right to use ethnic slurs or joke about rape, then Glitch isn't the game for you. 
    Posted 15 months ago by Blanky Subscriber! | Permalink