Cyber Bullying - Gamer Girl gets mistreated by Con Staff

Poor behaviour by an individual with a bad attitude = poor image for this event. Seems that the guilty Con staff wanted to turn it into their own personal adult playplace for their own "kind". Why not find a more appropriate host/convention organizer?

Mark's behavior is an embarrassment to Salem.

Unprofessional,

Looking at the overall situation, I see an event organizer attempting to draw attention with a selection of images that were not obtained apporpriately, not curated appropriately, and did little to promote a family event. In attempting to point this out as a reason for seeking refund privately, an event organizer bullied an innocent person viciously in a public social media space without impunity. This is incorrect behavior on the part of an event organizer, and suggests that female attendees should be concerned for their rights and wellbeing should they attend this event. It also suggests that the only type of woman desired at the event is a submisive sexually availble one. I am surprised there is not more heat on this issue. Women being bullied in gaming communities is a hot topic...it's gaining attention in academic circles as well. However I am unfamiliar with it as an issue in CC circles. This presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate that sleaze has no business in the business of CC events.

I love local cons. I support them with my dollars and with volunteering my time and skills. That being said, I hope this con fails so badly this guy is laughed out of his community. And then someone who understands PR, women, and people in general will create a con that fits what the vast majority of con goers want. A safe, respectable, harassment free, judgement free zone. This con? Ain't gonna be it.

Appalling behaviour by someone dealing with the public and promoting an event.

Harassment should not be tolerated at any level.

This isn't my con, I'm not even on the board, this is a petition to ask that they remove the individuals. If you feel so inclined, please sign it! <3

Cherry City Comic Con would like apologize again for what has happened. We have listened to everything that was said and got some very constructive criticism and some excellent feedback and are putting some of it into play. The safety of our attendees is priority number one and we are still planning to have a safe and fun family-friendly event and encourage all of you to attend. We have a zero-tolerance harassment policy in place that will be enforced and applies to everyone at the event and those associated with it. We ask that people show respect to our vendors and artists and not post negative comments on their posts or when we share their info as they are not responsible for what happened. We want to move forward and do what's right for our vendors, artists, special guests, and most importantly our attendees to give them a great convention. We respectfully ask that you do not make negative comments on this post. Thank you.

If CCCC were serious about their harassment policy, these 2 would not be on staff already.

The sort of attitude displayed by those two is unacceptable and offensive. i stand by the decision to remove them from staff.

I really hate hearing about Cyber Bullying, not because I don't care but because I wish it didn't exist. Giving bullies access to the internet has been like equipping a fire bug with napalm.

If CCCC is serious about their policies they need to remove these individuals from their staff.

I've seen better treatment at other cons about conserns like this and this is inexcusable. You treat attendees well even if they have an issue. He and his Wife should no linger work in cons if he can't control his anger over issues. Shame on you CCCC

This is a prime example of what board members of a con should keep an eye on. There were a few cons that went belly up cause of behavior and actions like this taken by individual(s) who let the power of being on a board go to their heads. By all means CCCC's board should not condone the individuals actions taken when a person was requesting a refund cause she didn't feel safe? And said person(s) reacted by publicly shaming and bulling the customer?? I wouldn't be surprised if attendance is very low to non existent. But CCCC's board should make a public statement without the person(s) input on it.

Then you should remove the people involved from your board and staff. They are a prime example of what cons should not do.

It bothers me so much that the comments have been closed (is it everyone, or just me?) and that the criticisms have been largely removed. This sort of "transparency" is nothing short of revolting. I had thought about attending this event, but I'm definitely not going to now. As someone who has suffered through sexual abuse, this situation is abhorrent. No female should inflict this sort of hostile environment upon themselves. I sincerely hope that this event falls apart. I hope that the Oregon State Fairgrounds takes notice about the deplorable lack of security. And, I hope the general public continues to make their opinion clear about this situation. Mark, his wife, and all of Mark's alter-egos need to be shown the door.

as a con goer as well as someone who has volunteered this is ridiculous. Childish, abhorent behaviour that has no place in geekdom. perhaps the first year will be the last at this rate.

As a long time gamer and lover of cosplay in general I have to say this kind of behavior by anyone, convention proprietors or convention attendees, is inexcusable.

12 years ago Featured

Wrong is wrong....as a long time Con goer this kind of attitude is unacceptable. taking a private conversation/ comment public is NOT a mistake..it is a deliberate attempt to publicly shame a person, no matter the gender...which is bulling... in this day and age it is beyond belief that the person who did so could not realize they were doing something wrong.. much less a person place in authority for an event. Totally unprofessional and it speaks volumes of his/ her character. If this is not put right by the organizing managing group I can't see this boding well for the Con in future. This person should not be in any way allowed to continue on staff..in ANY capacity.