In recent years, the gaming industry has experienced exponential growth, evolving into a multi-billion-dollar global phenomenon. However, amidst this rapid expansion, a dark shadow looms over the gaming community – sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment in gaming is a pervasive issue that continues to plague the industry, affecting players of all genders and backgrounds around the world. It encompasses unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature, ranging from explicit comments and gestures to more insidious forms of coercion and intimidation.
According to The Independent, 28% of female gamers have been sexually harassed by fellow gamers and 40% verbally abused by gamers while playing online multiplayer games. This toxic behavior creates a hostile environment that undermines the enjoyment and safety of gaming for everyone involved.
Understanding Sexual Harassment in Gaming
Sexual harassment in gaming takes various forms, often mirroring the broader societal issues of sexism, misogyny, and toxic masculinity.
This can come in the form of verbal, written, or visual harassment.
- Verbal harassment: Sexist slurs and unwanted sexual advances are commonplace in online gaming spaces.
- Written harassment: Explicit messages and comments are prevalent across social media platforms, forums, and in-game chats.
- Visual harassment: Can include inappropriate imagery and objectification of female characters.
- Technological harassment, such as cyberstalking and doxxing where someone’s private information such as phone number or home address is posted online, poses serious threats to the privacy and safety of players.
All of these types of sexual harassment perpetuate a hostile environment for many gamers. According to an Orange County sexual harassment lawyer, all of the following are examples of sexual harassment:
- Requests for sexual favors
- Threats or intimidation based on sex
- Sexual jokes, slurs, epithets or comments
- Discussing one’s appearance using sexual terms
- Sending unsolicited messages or images containing sexual content
While this is not an exhaustive list, it is examples of sexual harassment that gamers have experienced.
Prevalence of Sexual Harassment in the Gaming Industry
TheGamer reports that 76% of women in their research have disguised their gender while playing online. Of these, 93% did so due to experiencing sexual harassment when gaming.
Despite the widespread prevalence of sexual harassment in gaming, addressing the issue remains a considerable challenge. Many victims hesitate to report harassment due to fear of retaliation or being dismissed or ignored by gaming companies and communities while others decided to stop playing entirely.
Moreover, the anonymity afforded by online platforms makes it easier for perpetrators to engage in harassing behavior without facing consequences. The lack of comprehensive anti-harassment policies and enforcement mechanisms within gaming companies and platforms further exacerbates the problem.
Challenges in Addressing Sexual Harassment in Gaming
To combat sexual harassment in gaming, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Gaming companies and communities must develop and implement comprehensive anti-harassment policies that explicitly prohibit all forms of harassment and outline clear procedures for reporting and addressing complaints. These policies should be accompanied by robust enforcement mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Strategies and Solutions for Combating Sexual Harassment in Gaming
Increasing awareness and education about sexual harassment is also crucial in fostering a safer gaming environment. Gaming companies, industry organizations, and advocacy groups can collaborate to provide resources and training on recognizing, preventing, and responding to harassment.
Bystander intervention programs can empower individuals to speak up and intervene when they witness sexual harassment or harassment of any kind, creating a culture of accountability within gaming communities.
Empowering victims to report harassment is essential in addressing the issue effectively. Gaming companies and platforms should implement user-friendly reporting systems that prioritize the safety and confidentiality of victims. Moreover, supportive mechanisms, such as counseling services and community support groups, can be readily available to assist victims in navigating the aftermath of harassment and accessing the resources they need.
Successful Initiatives and Interventions
While the task of combating sexual harassment in gaming may seem daunting, there are success stories that offer hope for a brighter future. Several gaming companies and communities have implemented proactive measures to address sexual harassment, resulting in safer and more inclusive environments for all players.
In 2017, Activision Blizzard, Epic, Intel, Microsoft, Twitch, and over 200 other companies formed the Fair Play Alliance to encourage fair play and healthy communities. In 2018, Blizzard publicly named 18,000 Overwatch players banned for toxic behavior.
At the 2021 Game Developers Conference, Intel unveiled Bleep. Bleep is a program with AI-powered speech-recognition technology designed to fight back against in-game toxicity by detecting and redacting audio based on user preferences
By sharing these success stories and learning from their strategies and approaches, the gaming industry can take significant strides toward eradicating sexual harassment.
Moving Forward
Sexual harassment is a pervasive issue in the gaming community that demands urgent attention and action. By developing and implementing comprehensive anti-harassment policies, increasing awareness and education, empowering victims to report harassment, leveraging technology, and collaborating across sectors, the gaming industry can create safer and more inclusive spaces for all players. Together, we can work towards a future where everyone can enjoy gaming without fear of harassment or discrimination.