While the number of female streamers is on the rise, many of them face harassment on a daily basis. All too often these women are shamed and abused by others, for everything from the way they game to the way they dress.
A number of harassers are targeting women who dress in anything which displays cleavage of any kind, calling them “sluts” or “titty streamers,” and suggesting that they are only successful because they are displaying their bodies.
In an attempt to push back against this tide of abuse faced by female streamers, Kaceytron and Izzybear713 are hosting #slutstreamday, an event which hopes to raise awareness, as well as money for Freedom 4/24, a charity which helps those affected by human trafficking.
Nudity On Twitch
While women are being told they are “using their bodies” to gain an audience, many of the accusers seem blissfully unaware that using sex and sexually suggestive content to gain viewers is very much against the platform’s terms of service. If viewers see something they deem inappropriate, they can simply just report it.
In the past the enforcement of these rules has been somewhat lax but Twitch are tightening up, in an attempt to ensure the platform is being used for its intended purpose and to flush out those who are creating inappropriate content.
Twitch don’t take kindly to suggestive content and have banned people who have broken these rules. Any form of sexually suggestive content breaks the terms of service and Twitch have also banned streamers for wearing clothing which leaves too little to the imagination.
However, many of the women accused of “titty streaming” are not actually in any danger of violating the terms of service at all, due to the fact that they are simply dressed entirely normally.
Kaceytron’s Campaign
A vast amount of the women being shamed are dressing exactly as they would if they were doing anything else with their time. Showing your shoulders, some cleavage, your stomach or your legs is frequent in everyday life, and is how many women feel most comfortable. It's also the most practical way to dress for many.
Women who are larger will also always display more cleavage in a lower cut top, something men won't even consider. The same top on someone smaller will always look much more modest. Clothing just isn't designed to fit the same way on everyone and larger women cannot simply change their bodies to make their clothes fit how others feel they should.
Kaceytron is trying to promote a message of respect and understanding, taking back the term “slut” and empowering women to be themselves, whatever that looks like.
Her banner says she stands for respect, dignity, and gameplay and this campaign reflects that. She, along with Isabella O’Hammon (known as Izzybear713), are aiming to give the power back to female streamers.
What #slutstreamday is
The #slutstreamday campaign is all about women being themselves. They are asking that women stream on July 30 dressed however they feel most comfortable. The aim is to raise awareness of how often female streamers are shamed for their clothing and their gender, while also raising funds for World Day Against Trafficking, which is the day of the campaign.
Male streamers aren’t criticized for equivalent behavior and the campaign aims to highlight that. Kacey is trying to break the falsehood that showing some cleavage means you are an adult entertainer in disguise.
Freedom 4/24
As well as raising awareness the stream also aims to raise funds for Freedom 4/24. The ECFA accredited nonprofit organization helps survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. They offer food, shelter, education and counseling to those affected by these crimes.
The aim is to raise awareness of the abuse women face online, while helping other women who we all recognize are in even worse situations due to sexual exploitation.
Changing The Culture
It will take a lot to change gaming culture. Women are becoming more prevalent in the industry but the sheer volume of negativity they encounter is shocking.
A recent survey by casino.org shows that over half of women face harassment online after revealing their gender. Until this core issue is tackled abuse, including “slut shaming” will likely continue.
Challenging sexism is not easy but it is possible. It isn’t long ago that people being openly racist was largely tolerated or ignored. Now racists are (mostly) being held accountable for their intolerance and offensive comments. We need to be calling out sexism in the same way and this stream will hopefully help with that.
As a gaming community we need to learn to judge people based on their actions and behavior, not on their gender, clothing choices, sexuality or any other aspect of them which seems to give way to endless abuse.
In short, gamers need to do better. Respect is lacking in our community, not just towards women but towards anyone who is “different.” It’s only by coming together that we can celebrate our differences and create a welcoming community and that should be everyone’s aim.