With more conventions popping up all around the US, small and big ones, there is also a noticeably rise in after parties. I’m not just talking about the ones that conventions are hosting themselves off location (or on), but specialty raves that correlate with the convention. An example of this are all the many anime raves happening more frequently, and traveling alongside conventions to appeal to an audience already looking for more fun (especially if it relates to what they love to geek out about).
While this is a great idea, and involves even more fun for con-goers, it also has its dangers. Now, this isn’t to take away from anyone’s fun at these fandom events/parties/or raves. I myself love going to these events. Although, there have been many accounts recently coming to light of the dangers growing at these events. That’s the main reason for my article today, I wanted to make others aware and to help give them some tips to think about for safety. Because the last thing I want to do is hold anyone back from enjoying themselves while at con or getting their fandom on.
Anyway, the dangers I am referring to are people getting drugged, the most common being roofied. There was a smaller convention at the end of last year that had water for people to hydrate themselves with, the way it was dispensed was a water tank that was covered. When it needed changing the cover would be taken off and the water refilled, but it was easily accessible for a person to dump roofies into it (which happened). Many people were affected and some were not, the person did not hit every water tank but was still able to cause chaos and get a lot of people very sick. There have been many more cases of people getting roofied at after parties and raves, getting followed home or to a hotel, or even getting stalked over a longer period of time. Unfortunately this isn’t going to go away, events try to make sure people are as safe as they can help them to be at the events. Installing more security, ID checks, making sure there are not people who they have been warned about sneaking in or getting a pass to an event. But again, a lot of the time they get in, they cause harm or distress.
Sadly, these are not the only things I have been seeing or hearing more about. At conventions minors and all types of cosplayers are dealing with more and more of these harassments, and the last thing that I will ever do is tell someone how to dress or act. The majority of my tips for safety are going to be these
1. The buddy system is a great system and it works.
2. Share any and all locations with your buddies. By telling them and/or sharing location via cell phone (I know apple as a setting for them and so does snap chat).
3.Yes, both of these go for the bathroom too. Always go with a buddy or have them wait outside for you.
4. Anything you see that doesn’t look right, report it to someone in charge and make note of it. Just in case.
5. Trust your gut. If something gives you a bad feeling, LISTEN TO IT.
6. Check your drinks. Make sure nothing has been open or could be something that could be easily tampered with.
7. Don’t take drinks from strangers. Even if a friend of a friend knows them or can vouch for them. But, if you do take a drink from them make sure it hasn’t been open.
8. Do not leave your drink unattended, anyone can slip by and put something in it and just watch and wait.
9. Do not go to a second location with someone you do not know or know well.
10. We learn stranger danger as a kid for a reason and it is still a lesson to pay attention to as you get older.
11. If you are a minor or significantly younger (but 18+) and someone who is a lot older is showing interest in you. Talking to you, online and in person and not anything of the PG13 content. Examples would be about sexy cosplay or if they say your cosplay is really hot or you could cosplay a very hot/sexy character. Or anything that would not be a normal conversation with someone you are not close with (like a bestie), cut down your interaction with them.
12. Tell people when they make you uncomfortable with comments or any requests, or photos they want to take with you or of you.
13. Always speak out about any and everything that does not sit well with you.
14. Anyone who is harassing you? Make a loud scene, be as loud as you can be, break stuff, get people’s attention, so they can not ignore the situation
I know these are a lot of tips and honestly I could go on for longer, but I think these are good for right now and stuff to just keep in mind when at conventions, after parties, raves or just out in general. I want everyone to be safe, happy, healthy and having a blast at these events because that’s why you went in the first place. No one is asking for a bad time on their bingo card this year (or any).
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