Women In Games Says Industry Is "Going Backwards" After GDC Drink Spiking

thegamer.com:

Women in Games, an organisation dedicated to promoting more gender diversity in gaming, says the industry is "going backwards". This comes after GDC attendees, particularly women, shared further accounts of abuse and drink spiking - an issue that seems to follow the event every year.

In a statement from Women in Games CEO, Marie-Claire Isaaman, the org says that "none of this is okay, none of this should be happening." Isaaman goes on to call on GDC and organisers at other events to "work with Women in Games so that we can help them make these events safe spaces for all."

Related: Report: The Game Industry's Relationship With Alcohol

"Few could have read the recent press reports coming out of GDC about abuse of women attending the event, without recoiling in horror," says Isaaman. She then lists some of the allegations coming out of GDC, including harassment on the show floor, and drink spiking at off-site events.

"We are going backwards as an industry," she continues. "When the day comes that a woman at a global games conference doesn’t have to wonder whether she will be safe when she has a business meeting, alone, with a man – that’s when our work will be done."

In a statement, GDC has previously told TheGamer that it "severely condemns" the alleged behaviour that took place while the event was running. They urged those affected to contact the police in the "hope the perpetrators will be found."

This isn't the only issue the organisation is addressing. Isaaman also comments on the concerning uptick in complaints about sexist harassment in online games.

"Toxicity within gaming is on the rise and is particularly prevalent in female gamers’ experience," says Isaaman. "As a result, female gamers are often discouraged