This is not OK.

[feuervogel]

This thread discusses several incidents of sexual assault at Dragon*Con this year. This is the first time I've heard of it happening, but that doesn't mean it's never happened before. It just means that this year was worse than years past. And the assaulters weren't all con members (some were LSU fans in town for the game), so the con's policy of yanking badges won't do any good.

We need to get the hotels, con staff, and fellow con attendees to prevent such issues from happening again. We need to get a stated, publicized anti-harassment policy on the con webpage and in the con materials (program guide). The location of security staff in all areas of the con needs to be better publicized/signed/whatever.

People need to get through their heads that a women wearing a skimpy outfit isn't asking to be hit on, let alone groped or worse.

People need to know that this sort of shit won't be tolerated. At all.

Comments

[alchemist]

One thing I appreciate about cons where the Dorsai Irregulars do security : they are always visible, clearly marked, and available. If you need to find security, they all have the same T-Shirts on, that clearly say "SECURITY" on them.

The fact that the Dorsai are also grown-ups, con veterans, and know the fandom(s) helps a lot.

That still doesn't excuse the behavior of the offenders, but I do notice that cons we've done where security is clearly marked and visible have fewer problems.

[kirin]

Jesus fuck. Not OK indeed.

On the one hand, I'm kind of gratified that it looks like most of the incidents were not with actual D*C attendees, but that just means we really need better security in hotel areas where non-attendees are allowed. But unfortunately it doesn't seem like *con* policy changes would have a huge impact, though I'd still certainly support them having a clear one. Certainly can't hurt.

[anacoluthon.livejournal.com]

I hope the con gets on that and makes some official policies to address the issue.

[eirias.livejournal.com]

Lord, that's awful. I'm sorry.

[amakarie.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about going with a girlfriend next year... now not so sure. DDD: