Differences in Sexual Harrassment

Dibbell's "A Rape in Cyberspace"

In real life, sexual harrassment can be the term applied to any action made by a person that makes another feel uncomfortable. Anything from groping to blocking a person's way can be termed sexual harrassment in real life. On the telephone, persistent calls stating or threatening vulgar acts could be termed sexual harrassment. E-mail sexual harrassment basically constitutes the same thing as sexual harrassment over the telephone. In a MUD/MOO, I suppose sexual harrassment could be anything outlined above, such as vulgar messages or improper ways of dealing with people. Also, it could be something like what happened in Dibbell's story. A voodoo doll command could force people to 'sexually assault' themselves in VR. Different consequences are implemented for the various types of sexual harrassment acted out through the various mediums. In RL, sexual harrassment is an offense punishable with jail time or probation and also could result in the loss of one's job. Sexual harrassment through the phone and/or email also holds the same implications. One may lose their job and also their freedom. In MOOs and MUDs, sexual harrassment is dealt with in the way seen fit by the members of the fantasy world.