Men need to speak up against toxicity targeting women – and on their own behalf | Opinion

gamesindustry.biz:

In the wake of GDC earlier this year, several reports emerged on social media and in various games publications detailing incidents of sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and discrimination experienced by attendees.

These reports ranged from inappropriate comments and advances, to physical assaults and drink spiking. It has been alleged that these had been perpetrated by both fellow attendees and industry professionals.

Psyop's vice president Games Mick Morris posted one article on his LinkedIn sharing his shock and upset about the report. He really didn't mince his words.

"This is the sort of shit that women in our industry have to put up with at events and it's unacceptable," Morris wrote. "It's unacceptable for these men to behave like f***ing animals. It's unacceptable for men who are aware of, or are witness to, this kind of appalling behaviour, to not intervene or speak up.

"If you can't behave like a decent human being, then get the hell out of this business. We don't want to work with you, work for you, or do deals with you. This however needs to be dealt with."

[Men] have voices to speak on their own behalf; to be with us and call out bad behaviour

My reaction to Mick on LinkedIn was simply that I am shocked he was shocked. Mick and I have known each other for over 20 years. So why the gulf in our reaction? We have been to many of the same events, both worked in business development roles, but we've seen and experienced things so differently.

This LinkedIn discussion felt different. Firstly it was being initiated by a man, openly declaring his anger against what was going on; he wanted to route out the problem and felt we could do something about it. He was also getting backing from both men and women, mainly