Sexual assault occurs when someone touches someone else in a sexual manner without their consent. It is also known as rape though the term "sexual assault" is generally considered broader (encompassing some acts which some people do not consider to be rape). Sexual assault is illegal in most jurisdictions. However, many sexual assaults are not reported or prosecuted, because of attitudes which tend to minimise the seriousness of the act or tend to blame women for their own assault.
Sexual assault in general
One of the primary English-language resources for information about sexual assault is RAINN, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network. Their information page provides general information and statistics about rape in the United States.
Some basic stats:
- As many as 1 in 4 women have been sexually assaulted
- Most people are sexually assaulted by someone they already know (not a stranger)
- 60% of sexual assaults are never reported
It is important to remember that people of any gender can be the victim of sexual assault. However, women are the vast majority of sexual assault victims, and the fact that people of other genders are sometimes sexually assaulted should not be used as a derailing tactic in discussions about sexual assault.
Sexual assault in geek communities
Sexual assault is present in the geek community, as in any other community.
- geek events such as technical conferences and science fiction conventions provide an environment in which sexual assault can easily occur
- few geek events have policies for dealing with sexual assault or harassment which occurs at the event
- Geek Social Fallacies may cause geeks to be unwilling to ostracise anyone, even a rapist
- Double standards and Rape culture mean that women are encouraged to dress sexily or Cosplay at geek events, then told they were "asking for it" if sexually assaulted
- Many geeks use the word "rape" as a joke or in a way that minimises and normalises it
- Some communities (especially Gaming) intentionally use threats of sexual violence to intentionally terrorize and exclude women
There are numerous first-hand accounts of sexual assault at geek events. The Geek Feminism blog has gathered some of them under Worst con experiences. See below, under "Incidents", for other examples.
Incidents
- Noirin Shirley ApacheCon incident
- Sexual assault at Southeast LinuxFest
- Julian Assange arrest
- Dickwolves
Combatting sexual assault in geek communities
- Geek events should have a Conference anti-harassment policy which clearly states that harassment (and sexual assault) are not permitted, and providing procedures for dealing with incidents
- Note that not all incidents should necessarily be reported to the police, nor should a victim be pressured into doing so if s/he doesn't want to. Consider, for example, a man who is going around the conference groping women's breasts without their consent. He should be asked to leave the event even though his behaviour may not be legally actionable in many jurisdictions.
- As an individual, be a good ally
- Educate yourself about sexual assault
- Never blame the victim!
- Know where to refer someone if they need help (eg. a rape crisis hotline in your local area)
- Read this: What to do when someone approaches to tell you about sexual assault or abuse
- Fight Rape culture. If you see someone joking about, minimising, or advocating rape, tell them it's not okay. Sadly, this works best when coming from men to men -- women's complaints are often ignored.
- Don't fall victim to the Geek Social Fallacy that "ostracisers are evil". Sometimes toxic people -- including sexual predators and those who harass and sexually assault members of our community -- need to be ostracised.
Myth-fighting
On reporting sexual assault to the police:
- Why didn't you report it? (Meloukhia)
- But you have to report it (Meloukhia)
On fighting back:
- Why don't you just hit him? (Geek Feminism blog)
- Why didn't you just kick him in the balls? (rachelmanija on Dreamwidth)
- Disturbing the universe is a social gaffe (oursin on Dreamwidth)