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Basically, people need different things, and we as bystanders are usually not equipped to be good at handling every individual issue presented. As an ally, don't set yourself up for failure by thinking you can do it all. Please take the time to learn about bystander intervention.

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The 5Ds of Bystander Intervention - Right To Be

Also, deescalation is a skill, and there's a reason why a lot of people in political action/protesting take classes on it. Find out what kind of bystander intervention *you* can do and practice it so that you can help out in a situation when you least expect it. righttobe.org/guides/bysta...

righttobe.org

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This is also why I believe more in the power of organizations, set-out rules, and political action than single individuals, because organizations (ideally) have been vetted, and that's harder to do for individuals, which is how I've seen "Con Moms" at anime cons do more harm than good for strangers.

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I'd vouch for several of the people in the Splatoon scene who have volunteered to be people's buddy if they need someone in light of politics in some states. And I would also absolutely get my Karen on for people. But we should recognize that no one person can be every person's safe ally.

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FanCons.com @fancons.com · 26/06/2025

Thread 🧵: As someone who's seen pronouncements from bad actors about how they're safe (re: people can go to them at events if they're in danger), I want to address that while several Riptide attendees I know have great intentions, this is not a great stopgap measure on the whole.

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When you start a convention, pick a name, search for it to make sure it’s not used (nobody needs ANOTHER “ChibiCon”), and then stick with one name and spelling. If you’re referring to the con as YattaCon, Yattacon, Yatta Con, Yatta-Con, AND Yatta Comic Con, nobody will know which is right.

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CSSN @cosplayer-ssn.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

As always, celebrate today, back to the work tomorrow. The best way you can help us right now is by reaching out to your favorite non 6/6 convention and asking them to update their policy and procedures! We'll update in future if & when we have capacity for more volunteers. Take care 'til next time!

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CSSN @cosplayer-ssn.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

It may feel like what we do is "pointless" in a world with so much suffering, but as a very astute colleague reminded us: right now, policy is THE tool we have in the convention community, so we're gonna use it. Plus, 1K is a significant milestone for us. We're proud of the work we do!

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CSSN @cosplayer-ssn.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

We're happy to announce that with our latest update, we're up to 1,024 convention policies evaluated and 62 6/6 evaluations. For the first time, we are at 6% of conventions at 6/6!! ... unfortunately a 6/6 means "doing the bare minimum," so let's keep trying ✍️ cosplayer-ssn.org/rp/home.php

cosplayer-ssn.org

Convention Harassment Policies

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trickssi, C.A. @ Kinshokucon @trickssi.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

AHHHHHH MOM HOLY FUCK PART 2??!??!?!!!!!!! I was catching up on internet connection and Guidebook and researching tomorrow's panel and WE ARE MENTIONED IN THEIR PDF???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT!!!! @cosplayer-ssn.bsky.social THIS IS SO COOL 😭🙏

Screenshot of the Con-Polizone PDF featured on the description of the panel about convention policies with the Cosplayer Survivor Support Network (CSSN) highlighted in red

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CSSN @cosplayer-ssn.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Oh, goodness gracious 😂 That's a new internal hall of shame for us. Good luck to 'em, though!

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FanCons.com @fancons.com · 02/01/2025

@cosplayer-ssn.bsky.social You'll get a kick out of this... Some small con (which shall remain nameless) just tried submitting their 2025 convention to us with a link to cosplayer-ssn.org/rp/home.php as their anti-harassment policy. 🤦‍♂️ That's not how this works! 🤣

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FanCons.com @fancons.com · 15/11/2024

FYI: You don’t need to staff a convention to send in updates. We take them from everyone!

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END OF "NARUTTO" CRISIS INTERVENTION MNEMONIC Thanks for reading and we hope this can help just a little if you don't know where to start with providing support for your friends and family during these times and in the future! Please prioritize safety above all. We believe you, and we NEED you.

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O: OFFER This is a continuation of the above; always offer multiple options the person can choose between. It can help them feel empowered and feel that they are in control. It doesn't matter if they don't choose your choices; let them guide you, but provide them the torch to light the way.

TT: THINK THROUGH Guide the person to imagine next steps they can take in the next few minutes, hour, rest of the day. They will know best what sounds right. Give them options to choose between if they're having trouble coming up with something; "do you want to grab food or get your phone charger?"

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U: UNLOAD Let the person tell you everything they're feeling, unfiltered. Understand their feelings might not match what you think a survivor or person in crisis might be thinking or feeling. Be extremely nonjudgmental. Validate what they're saying.

R: REFLECT When the person tells you their situation or concerns, reflect their words back to them rather than coming up with your own metaphors or conclusions. Mirror posture/body language if appropriate. Observe if they look glazed-over. Give them your full attention.

A: ASK Ask the person what support they need in the moment. You can ask to clarify context if you don't know the situaton. Some people might not be able to verbalize or are not comfortable sharing details; don't press them. Today... probably safe to assume it's about the election results.

N: NAVIGATE Help the person get to a physically safe place. Today that can mean their car, a closet with a door, a private bathroom, your living room couch. Wherever feels "safe" for them, they decide. At a con, a neutral space is wise, and for them it might not be within the con or hotel space.

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This is based on the SSVVPP method by NOVA, flavored for y'all nerds so you can remember! We're going to use a method we call "NARUTTO" .... because the most important thing about someone who survived trauma? "Believe it!" You're not a judge, so always start by telling someone you believe them.

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Disclaimers first: we trained for many situations even though as a group we are aimed toward survivors of sexual violence. Also, you can't help others unless or until you are able to take on their trauma. If you aren't ready, there's no shame in that, but don't try to overreach if you're unable.

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Summer Rain @weebwitched.bsky.social · 01/11/2024

If you live in the U.S., you may be feeling hopeless right now. But you also might be feeling like you want to do something to help, but don't know how. Let's do a brief thread on PEER CRISIS INTERVENTION from our certified victim advocates.

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Hey Chicago cosplayers (and con-goers), I saw "cosplay weekend" pop up in my recommended events and then as soon as I saw the url, knew it was a Kopf con. Do not go to this event and do not go to other kopf events!! There's a good reason they're not allowed to table at other cons

Screenshot of the event description page for "cosplay weekend chicago," the main thing is that I've circled in red the url for the event in the description, which is "animecon.org" an immediate tell-tale of a kopf con.

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FanCons.com @fancons.com · 23/10/2024

New Article: Essential Pages for Every Convention Web Site After looking at literally every convention web site, @pdelahanty.bsky.social has put together a list of essential pages you'll want to include on your con's site as well as a few things you should avoid.

fancons.com

Essential Pages for Every Convention Web Site | FanCons.com

Articles: After looking at literally every convention web site, I've come across some good ideas and some bad ideas. I've put together a list of essential pages you'll want to include on your con's si...

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(Disclaimers continued) A 6/6 score indicates the BARE MINIMUM that a convention can do. It is not an endorsement for the convention nor do we provide endorsements. Your mileage with the policy may vary. If you had issues at a con or how its policy was applied, please reach out to the con directly.

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.... And that about wraps it up! If you're a convention that updated to receive a 6/6, we sincerely thank you. We'd love to see even more ways we can all support targets, survivors, and victims. Let's create an environment that discourages and weeds out harassment altogether!

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(6 end) Note: Having a way to anonymously report and/or report outside of con hours is ideal. Cons should also be responsible for their online communities and offer a way to report individuals who are violating the policy in online space in a way that will align with consequences in real life.

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(6 continued) It can also be hard to know whether the staff member you "find" to make the report to will be trauma-informed or in any way know appropriate crisis intervention. Removing barriers to targets' willingness and/or desire to report can result in more accurate and faster action.

6. Is there a way to create a report online/without having to "find staff" physically? Reason: Accessibility is at the heart of all we do. We envision a worst-case scenario where someone is unable to communicate what happened face-to-face due to the stigma of reporting or due to disability, etc. -

5. Does the policy explicitly say it applies to staff, vendors, guests, etc. and not just attendees? Reason: It's possible convention staff, chairs, and even some voice actor guests (allegedly) don't want to be held accountable for their actions or engage in cronyism that can affect fair reporting.

4. Does it give specific consequences for violating the policy? Reason: Some cons allow individual staff members to make decisions on situations and this can result in favoritism in any direction. Having a defined escalation pattern means similar incidents can result in more predictable outcomes.

3. Does it define harassment? Reason: More than just empowering targets to know that what they experienced was indeed harassment, a definition can be a vital teaching tool for educating would-be offenders and young people. Note: Many cons use the phrase, "can be defined as, but is not limited to..."

2. Is it easy to find? Reason: If someone is in crisis, they should not have to click through dozens of links to find instructions on how to proceed in reporting. Note: Try not to make your full policy only accessible by viewing a PDF. A dedicated, labeled webpage is great.

Now let’s explain our 6 EVALUATION CRITERIA! 1. Does the policy exist? Reason: Many conventions STILL don't have a basic policy. Note: It must exist in full on the convention's website, not just on a badge. Not everyone at a con has a badge or has access to their badge during or after a crisis.

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(Disclaimers end) We evaluate around the 15th of the month for the upcoming month’s conventions. We’re 3 survivors who have some degree of disability and/or neurodivergence. Manually maintaining evaluations can be imperfect but we’re always happy to reevaluate; simply email info@cosplayer-ssn.org.

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First, disclaimers. We use only publicly available information to form scores, so if a convention has info on their badge or only if you go to their security office in person during the con, we can’t evaluate it.

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