Glomping/Unwanted affection policy

[allpowerfulbob]

Hello everyone, we wanted to take some time to discuss a new policy that is being enforced this year at NDK and will be taken very seriously. Unfortunately over the last few years, and especially last year, there have been a growing number of concerns and complaints about unwanted affection being shown during the convention. This has included: hugs, kisses, groping, and especially glomping.

Because we here at NDK want everyone who attends the convention to feel safe and have a wonderful time, we feel that these issues need to be addressed. We have received complaints about unwanted touching, making attendees feel very uncomfortable, and even received complaints about damage to costumes and props in the hallways.

We understand that during the convention that it is very easy to become excited and want to show your appreciation of another person's hard work on their cosplay, find someone that you have not seen in a long time (say since last NDK), or for many varied reasons.  However, please make sure that you ask before you lavish affection upon anyone you may not know. If the person does not want your affections, please respect their wishes and move on. No one wants to have their costume that they spent countless hours perfecting ruined by someone glomping them from behind. And we all know that no one wants to accidentally hurt someone else, or make them feel like they can't come back to the con for fear of having their personal space violated.

If you are reported to a staff member or to Ops as having unwanted contact with another attendee you risk being banned from the convention. This is not to say that you should not hug your friends, or other people, but simply put please make sure you do so with their permission.

For more information on this policy, please see the rules here: http://ndkdenver.org/info/rules/anti-harassment
If you would like further clarification, please feel free to send a PM to any of the directors or please speak to Ops or any staff member about it during the convention. We hope that you all have a wonderful time at this year's NDK and in all the years to come.

[nemisis47]

Just a hypothetical question, what if you have a girlfriend/boyfriend or whatever and you want to kiss? Is that considered bad also?

[Katie]

No this is unwanted affection. Kissing your GF/BF is ok but running up to a totally stranger and planting one on them is not ok.

[Otakutaku]

Has this really been a serious problem in the past? Also i love how you adress glomping specifically in the topic title XD.

[Tony Redgrave]

yes it has been a problem in the past.  As a cosplayer I can attest to being glomped a few times in a few different costumes unannounced and hearing the unmistakable sound of seams ripping.  Also some people aren't used to random affection and can you imagine what it is to those who are new to our scene if they get mobbed by people they don't know?

So please ask before you administer and abide by what the person says.  If they say no don't push it, because this could get toward harassment. 

But Please have a fun and safe con.

[Katie]

Not to mention that people have been hurt, seriously hurt, by both announced and unannounced glomping. It doesn't matter if the person is 80lbs or 280lbs one wrong move can cause serious injury.

[toadstoolssecretluvchild]

bob you should voice this at the main stage dressed as the general in Patton 

anywho, thanks for bringin it up, hope it does some good

[NeoPhoenixTE]

I've a friend who's wary to wear a skirt due to too much ass-grabbing she's had to endure. It's kinda sad, because I think she's really cute in a skirt...

..also, I should mention she has a rather protective boyfriend who can take on about 98% of the people at the con (in groups of 2-5 at a time mind you), as well as a friend with an anger problem with the right buttons pushed. She also knows self-defense...

Guess you can call it another reason to keep your hands to yourself. You not only risk damage and insult to the target, but your own safety may become a matter if you glomp the wrong person at the wrong time.

(I am not endorsing over-the-hip throws or "protective boyfriend" summons of any kind, I'm just offering a word of warning to those who think they could get a quick feel.)

[toadstoolssecretluvchild]

well, i was surprised at a vast majority of people who asked first this year before they just go about doing whatever they wanted. it was a nice change to see people actually treating others like actual human beings and not just some characters.

[rini]

I've a friend who's wary to wear a skirt due to too much ass-grabbing she's had to endure. It's kinda sad, because I think she's really cute in a skirt...

..also, I should mention she has a rather protective boyfriend who can take on about 98% of the people at the con (in groups of 2-5 at a time mind you), as well as a friend with an anger problem with the right buttons pushed. She also knows self-defense...

Guess you can call it another reason to keep your hands to yourself. You not only risk damage and insult to the target, but your own safety may become a matter if you glomp the wrong person at the wrong time.

(I am not endorsing over-the-hip throws or "protective boyfriend" summons of any kind, I'm just offering a word of warning to those who think they could get a quick feel.)

ok, here's the deal ppl: 1) unwanted physical contact is assault. assault doesn't have to be a punch, or kick. end of story.

2) unwanted touching with the breasts, genitals, and buttocks is _sexual assault_ under the colorado criminal code. if your friend EVER has this problem again, she should contact security IMMEDIATELY. this is beyond unacceptable, this is criminal, and should be prosecuted.

[Lunara]

well, i was surprised at a vast majority of people who asked first this year before they just go about doing whatever they wanted. it was a nice change to see people actually treating others like actual human beings and not just some characters.

Ditto! I was very glad to see that people were generally respectful (to me) about the affection. Except you, Pip. You're still a jerk. XD

ok, here's the deal ppl: 1) unwanted physical contact is assault. assault doesn't have to be a punch, or kick. end of story.

2) unwanted touching with the breasts, genitals, and buttocks is _sexual assault_ under the colorado criminal code. if your friend EVER has this problem again, she should contact security IMMEDIATELY. this is beyond unacceptable, this is criminal, and should be prosecuted.

What rini said. This is NOT a joke. There is always a staff member close. If you feel for even a SECOND that you are being mistreated, YELL FOR A STAFF MEMBER. I'm not even joking. YELL RAPE. There is absolutely NO excuse for sexual harassment at our convention.

[l4justice]

I've only been 2 the con twice and I'd never seen much problem. Actually though, a few people came up asking for hugs after I took ther pic which made me feel funny because it was my first hug. Ahhh, the great times of NDK...

[allpowerfulbob]

This issue has been discussed at length, and I don't feel there is much more to say on the matter. Please be aware that over the years we have received plenty of complaints. NDK does not make these sorts of policies lightly. Even though it may not be overtly visable, it is happening.

If anyone has more questions or concerns, please feel free to PM any of the directors about this topic. With that said, I am going to lock this topic.