{"id":40986,"date":"2017-12-10T22:29:49","date_gmt":"2017-12-10T22:29:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jomec.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=40986"},"modified":"2017-12-10T22:29:49","modified_gmt":"2017-12-10T22:29:49","slug":"in-depth-sexism-in-gaming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2017\/12\/10\/in-depth-sexism-in-gaming\/","title":{"rendered":"In depth: Sexism in gaming"},"content":{"rendered":"

Misogynistic harassment in video games routinely makes women feel unwelcome. Can Cardiff\u2019s gaming caf\u00e9s provide a safe space?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Belong

Since she was as young as 14, Hollie Crosbie has faced misogynistic harassment when playing video games online. \u201cIt\u2019s constant. Every comment I receive is something sexual. When I was younger I\u2019d have men trying to manipulate me into sending naked photos. I was just a kid\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gaming\u2019s sexism problem has been an open secret for years. With no signs of things improving online, can Cardiff\u2019s gaming caf\u00e9s provide a safe space for women?<\/span><\/p>\n

Why are you attacking me for being a girl?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Despite a recent survey commissioned by the Internet Advertising Bureau,<\/a> showing that women now make up 52% of the gaming audience in the UK, the community has a culture of misogynistic harassment. This is exemplified by a recent video from Twitch<\/a> streamer Nicole Westbrook Smith. Nicole, who streams under the username nweatherservice, documents the abuse she receives through the game.<\/span><\/p>\n

The video was picked up by some large industry outlets<\/a> and re-opened the conversation about gaming culture\u2019s misogyny problem, and the reaction was clear. The popular first person shooter Overwatch is not an exception. Online gaming\u2019s sexism is ingrained into the culture itself, and leaves many women wondering just as Nicole does, \u201cWhy are you attacking me for being a girl?\u201d<\/p>\n

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