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Flora-Tea — PSA: Sensitive Topics in RP/Writing
Published: 2019-03-11 06:19:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 1112; Favourites: 9; Downloads: 0
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^ These journals and more have said what needs to be said and explain the drama that inspired this post.
Now I feel I should do my part and help spread the message, as I'm aware I have many watchers who are RPers and story creators.
If you or anyone you know is planning to include something sensitive like rape in their to-publish RPs or stories:
Please don't publicly fetishize it (keep your dang fetish to yourself/other fetishists), please do your research, and please don't trivialize it.
Anything sensitive should be handled with care and consideration in any story, especially if you're sharing that story with the public.
Please, show consideration for those who've had such horrible and life-destroying experiences.
Including rape or anything sensitive doesn't make you or your story mature. Handling said issues like a researched adult does. If you aren't mature or thoughtful enough to handle such topics with care in your stories before sharing them, then why would you include them at all?
Please, have a heart and have compassion for others.
We as a community of creators can do better than this.
P.S. If you see any groups or RP posts that contain or encourage romanticizing rape or that contain explicit sexual content, please do report them. Even when it doesn't contain rape, explicit sexual RPs are not allowed on DA and should be reported when spotted.
Change begins with us taking action!
If you're able, perhaps help spread the message and share the journals I've linked above.
This is an issue that really needs more attention.
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Comments: 47
I'm happy you wrote this in a "how to" sort of way.. The strangest thing during all of this has been reading the comments of these journals and seeing the constant mention of "this has become a common occurrence in wolf/canine/animal roleplays" and I'm just :/// tbh I hope things change and people learn because that is INCREDIBLY discouraging and creepy if true!
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Thank you! X'D And I was worried I was just rambling too much as I often do, but it means a lot you feel I've handled this well!
oh yeah ;-; it's a trend I've run into on-and-off in my past experiences with DA RP groups, and seeing that it's come to the point where someone can comfortably post a detailed rape RP to DA, make gross and creepy statements like "cus one rape wasn't enough 
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No, I don't think it's rambling<3 It's nice. And it's good for people to understand that these subjects can be handled maturely and respectfully (................although still hopefully not in the same commonness as it seems to be trending right now then)
I hope this experience opened a lot of eyes on this subject. I know I used to not have a very strong opinion against these sort of things but it didn't take much to change my mind a few years back, so hopefully it'll be that easy with plenty of others watching this go down! Nowadays I really don't know what I'd do if I was in a roleplay group and that popped up in the group. Yikes.
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Thank you so much, that means a lot Machati TTwTT
And I completely agree! Hopefully things will only change for the better ^^
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A call-out of the group and roleplay in question was not our first step. We did bring up our problems with the roleplay's content and the group's allowance of the roleplay in the group's anon suggestion box. We did report the roleplay.
Our grievance was ignored and we took the next step, which was contacting the group directly in the comments of the group's page. We did not expect any of the group's admins to respond to us as they hadn't done anything in regards to our earlier complaints. We expected to have our comments hidden and to be blocked. Later, after the discussion, many of us were blocked from seeing the group, but one only needs to log out to get past a block.
Kumo was unfairly called out - they had nothing to do with the discussion at the time. However, Kumo quickly lead the charge to wish compelled both you and I to make journals on the subject.
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Quietly leaving a group supporting rape roleplays to take a stand against them does nothing. You might as well be supporting them. How would anyone know you had a problem with the roleplay if you don't say something?
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It's really something that this group would allow this kind of behavior in a site that explicitly forbids sexual content like it. I mean wow, it's one thing to have a fetish, but how irresponsible would the admins have to be to indulge at the expense of everyone involved? This is exactly the kind of behavior that needs to stay off sites like DA, so I guess it's good that they got what they deserved.
That said, I'm posting because I've had experience with including "mature" themes like murder, abuse and politics in my stories, only to look back and be disgusted at them. These things might seem like a good idea at the time, but they also carry some major responsibility in handling the consequences as they are serious issues that cannot and shouldn't be swept under the rug. Nothing ruins a story like trying to be edgy and running away from the aftermath. I mean yeah, I was an edgy kid too, I know that trying to tackle the consequences is boring, but that's precisely why these are sensitive topics in the first place. Do them right or just don't.
For what it's worth, I'm glad to see so many members of a community stepping up to spread the message and raise awareness of a situation like this. Those admins have no idea of what a good community they let down in such a selfish act. I don't care if it's wolves and RPs, these are actions that bring people together and they need to be respected as such. I can only hope that, if that group opens up again or a new one is made, it has more mature people in charge.
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Very well said, Valient! Thank you
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Oh boy.... wow where to start?
1. This has been going on FOREVER in many groups. It doesn't excuse it, in fact, it's a bit troubling to see the trends in how it moves from one to another progressively getting worse as if the writer can come with the most worst way to torture their character to earn edge points. However, they lack the maturity and foresight to recognize that the topics could be actually harmful to their audience if not tackled with sensitivity.
2. Posting explicit RP of ANY TYPE is prohibited on DA. When you join DA you agree to follow and abide by the rules of etiquette and policy here. TBH the rp should have been quietly reported through the DA admin area, along with the group for allowing it to have been posted in the first place.
3. You don't have to justify or explain any reason for not liking something. No one has a big sign that says "you're not cool" if you don't like certain things. If a group makes you feel unwelcome for not accepting something, move the fuck on and find another group. If you can't find another group, by all means make one. It's clear by the response this got, that you won't be alone because other's are fed up with the bullshit too.
4. This kind of shit gives the community a bad name, let's think of solutions to make the community better. Call out Posts aren't always effective as they tend to only escalate the problem, instead let's stand together and ,leave groups that promote toxic behavior.
Chances are I am talking to the choir here, in the sense that those who read this comment more than likely will agree with the sentiment and those who are doing this stuff don't care anyway. In this case, I condone simply reporting the deviation, and leaving the group. You can't change peoples minds easily, but when they see their work being taken down by the admins, then they might think twice about posting it. Finally, if the group continues to break DA policy DA does have the right to ban the group admins, and take the group down for breach of contract. It's a small solution, but sometimes it's the only effective one when dealing with this type of stuff.
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" Call out Posts aren't always effective as they tend to only escalate the problem, instead let's stand together and ,leave groups that promote toxic behavior."
I'm sorry, is that what you think this is? This and other journals that talk about this are attempting to send the message that "hey, this thing happened, let's talk about how this is an issue in the RP and story-writing community as a whole because this is clearly a bigger issue that doesn't get talked about enough.
If you see all of this as merely "callout posting", or if you think this is all just about a group or two, or even a deviation, then I don't know what to tell you.
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Yours isn’t but other journals I read linked to the ones you linked did include the groups name and admin. which are considered a call out post.
I know this is an ongoing problem but the only effective way is to report the content with a screenshot and state where in the DA policy this content is in breach. Then if the group continues to post content leave it.
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The argument in question was public and is still up on the front page of the group. The admin clearly doesn't care that it open for everyone and anyone to view since they made zero attempts to hide it.
Also, I deeply resent you acting like this is a "call out post" of someone's personal drama. From the responses I've read, it's clear that a lot of people feel the same way. It's because people don't speak out PUBLICALLY that this is such a big issue. I get that conflict is uncomfortable for everyone involved, but if no one speaks up, nothing will change.
Also the admin of that group named dropped Kumotogi for no reason other than to distract from the issue at hand. So they essentially dug their own grave on this issue.
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Oh noooo I’m not calling this a call out post!!! Whoa no I was referring to a post that was linked to the post linked to this post. Wow! This got really messed up!
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Kumotogi was name dropped by that admin on the front page of the group as a troublemaker for no reason other than to distract from the issue of the rape RP. So I think that she have every right to make a stink about this.
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If that is it, then why would you comment that on my post in particular?
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Because I follow you and I read into the posts you linked on your post and it led me down a rabbit hole.
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The thing is though, I believe people should call out specific issues like this, as it's when people are quiet about them that nothing ever gets done. This is an example of a bigger issue and that is why it's been shown. If you felt that actually showing the name of the group that the drama came from was an issue to you, then I ask again, why would you comment on my post about it? You have the ability to comment on the post that namedrops the group but you didn't comment to them about it. You took a passive route to the issue you believe is an issue, and that isn't very productive in any situation. Please keep that in mind going forward.
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Anyways, I'm sorry this went down the way it did. I know you mean well and I'm not upset with you
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Phew I’m gonna take ten. Work on some art.
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That sounds good to me ^^
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Wait, this is an issue? Guess SAO Abridged was trying to tell I us something.
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Yes, it's been an issue in the animal RP and story-writing community for quite a while now (like in writings and comics) and it has been only escalating.
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Yeezus Chrysler this is a topic that will always piss me off. I've seen it being a fucking trend in lion communities, now it's in this rpg where I thought mature and good people were in... Boy was I wrong. For some reason the big rp groups always seem to like incest, rape, and pedophilia. It doesn't even matter if the roleplayer themselves have had experience of the subjects, I hate the mindset of "if you've experienced it, therefore you have free hands and know everything about it" I don't think it's something that's simply trivialized. It shouldn't be a thing in roleplaying at all. Rape is something that's just not brushed off irl, it's a deeply mentally scarring event that can turn your whole life upside down, and that's really hard to get right when building a character. Roleplaying is something you do for fun for crying out loud. Is it fun to own a character that's a rapist? There are other way more creative ways to make an evil character or making your character go through hell.
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Goodness, gracious...it's really disturbing that the community animal RP/writing has let it become a trend.
While I'm not the sort that believes any topic is off limits in writing, there should really be an understood rule that sensitive topics should be handled sensitively, and if you aren't able to do that then you shouldn't touch it. And I definitely agree with you, there are so many ways to have characters have bad experiences, there are so many ways to make a character a villain, and there are better ways to be edgy. Rape needs to honestly stop being the go-to for people.
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Yeah you're right, anything, including rape plots can be done correctly, but it's such a horrid thing to happen to someone, people don't seem to understand that? And because people so rarely get it right I tend to make it clear in my rpgs that rape is off limits there. And especially puppies that are the result of rape is a big yikes. I don't know, I don't think this issue will ever go away though, rape plot drama tends to be forgotten in time and then people are back at it again :/ Let's just hope someone gets a wake-up call from all of this and starts plotting something more interesting.
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Auuugh the fact people make puppies and kittens out of RP rape is so disturbing to me and so gross. And yeah, it sadly seems to be something that just won't go away, but I feel like if more people speak up about it being an issue, perhaps it may at least deter people not to be publicly careless about it.
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A little louder for those in the back please?
Roleplaying is something you do for fun for crying out loud. There are other way more creative ways to make an evil character or making your character go through hell.
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Exactly. Too bad it seems like people will never stop using rape as a cheap plot device.
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Yeah. :/ and for the victims its just a case of la la la ... ohhh motherfucker ... welp there goes my peaceful night. Hello Adderall.
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I know right?? I've even seen "redemption" arcs for the rapists like they'd turn out to be all perfect husband/wife whatever material afterwards like fuck off please
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*low whistle* yeah that.. that is.. tricky
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well said!
as someone who is a sexual assault survival, rp rape or anything with sexual assault type things can be really triggering. i have noticed a massive increase of such rp that has this type of theme. mature themes are more or less the norm in roleplays, the majority of backstories are traumatic with loss of a family member (or full family) or other sad/edgy themes. but rape and assault should NEVER be made a joke of. we really need to stop trying to normalize this horrid act. just because someone has that thing in a popular comic, or in a popular group does NOT make it ok.
it's a horrid thing, that has a lasting effect for Years . speaking from my own personal experiences, the nightmares, anxity, and depression as the aftermath can be really crippling. its not something you can throw meds at and it just vanishes, or something you can "just forget" or "put it behind you."
to whoever is reading this, if you are planning on doing this in a roleplay, i ask that you try to do some research on the matter, and handle the situation in a mature way. pls pls pls! do NOT go into detail about the assault, no one actually wants to read/see that. if you are going to post that roleplay for the public, pls add a warning or remove that entire segment, for respect for the irl victim.
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Thank you! I'm usually not too confident on my wording so that means a lot!
And very well spoken! I commend you for surviving such a horrendous experience and I wish you the best in life, and I can't imagine how troubling it is to see how romanticizing and fetishizing such things has been a trend.
I haven't experienced sexual assault, but I have experienced rape being attempted on a loved one when I was younger, and just knowing it was happening in my presence was horrible enough, and all I could really do was put up a big fuss. I couldn't even imagine how being the actual victim could feel.
But thank you, that was a very well-worded comment and deserving of a feature.
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THIS.
I was triggered by several episodes in the first season of The Magicians for this reason. As well as some other things that the characters experienced which triggered really bad anxiety and anger. I know it was for plot, and to push the story along, but it was dark as fuck and I wish Sci-Fi put better warnings up before the show began that it was going to be THAT BAD, and after. I noticed that they've backed way down from that level since the third season and so far they haven't gotten as dark since. It's dark, no doubt, but they have definatley changed direction away from where it was going and after certain episodes they did offer hotlines and post show messages to help if anyone was triggered by the content.
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Ho...ly...woooooow...
I have heard about that drama from afar without knowing the detail but after checking...just NO.
This is just plain gross and unrespectful toward people who were raped...
Rape is such a sensible topic that it should be treated super carefully when creating characters because it's not just a "fancy fetish".
PEOPLE IRL ARE VICTIMS OF IT.
Their ENTIRE life can be changed FOR THE WORST.
And too many times, the rapists are UNPUNISHED.
So if to everyone reading this, if you are fetishising rape...you are gross.
I was personally always feeling uncomfortable toward these RP groups and so never joined one of them...I'll sure keep my distance even more and stick with my ARPG babies :'D
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Yeah DX I'd heard about it from a distance too but I noticed that many people who speak of this have smaller watcher counts, so I thought it'd be helpful if I spoke about it too and helped spread the message.
And yeah, seeing this whole thing that happened makes me glad I stopped being active in/joining animal RP groups, but it's still sadly among sensitive topics that people tend to handle very poorly in their stories/comics too without people really saying anything.
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You did great.
Plus the DA staff is not doing the greatest job dealing with the all cyberbullying and the fetish plague that is invading DA...
I'll be honest, I had an edgy teen phase where I had a character being raped. But I opened my eyes after reading a testimony from a rape victim. Not only I felt super bad but I also was extremely moved by this person's courage and will to continue living and fight for justice despite all the repercussions.
So yeah, it CAN be done in stories. But ask yourself questions about "why" first and, DO RESEARCHES.
Don't do it because "it's cool"...
And so seeing people romantizing and fetishizing it...UGH it's making me sick...
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^^^^^ THIS^^^^^^^^^
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Agreed. Though I'd argue the issue itself is a massive taboo that pretty much scars both parties for life, especially the victim. Even false allegations can ruin a person's life beyond repair. If anything, it's not that the act of rape is normalized in Western culture. It's overly dramatised and focuses on how other people RELATED to the victim react, rather than how the victim is coping. See every single Rape-Revenge horror movie ever made, or the Death Wish series.
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