Uk-based esports organisation Guild Esports and telecommunications company Sky UK have launched a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of the verbal abuse women gamers face.
The #NoRoomForAbuse campaign will run across various social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Twitch. Sky and Guild will also procure influencer talent for the campaign.
The campaign — which runs separately to the companies’ existing partnership — commenced today with social media videos highlighting gender-based verbal harassment that women gamers face when playing online. The videos take place at an influencer and media event at the Sky Guild Gaming Centre in which male participants played a game whilst being subjected to verbal abuse.
Alongside the video campaign, which also features gaming influencers Stephanie Ijoma and Elz the Witch as well as Twitch streamers Sunpi and Danielle Udogaranya, Guild and Sky also conducted a study for the initiative.
The study, which surveyed over 4,000 gamers, revealed that 49% of female gamers have experienced some level of abuse or harassment when playing or streaming online. This figure rises to 75% for those aged 18-24. Moreover, 27% of those surveyed feared being attacked in real life following online threats while gaming.
In the release, Guild stated that Sky has provided funding for the campaign. The funding is supplemental to the company’s existing partnership with Guild Esports.
Jasmine Skee, CEO of Guild Esports, commented: “Improving opportunities for women in esports is a key commitment of our partnership with Sky. While there’s still work to be done, we’re proud to be at the forefront of fostering greater female participation in the sector and creating an inclusive gaming community.
“We hope that by raising awareness of the abuse affecting female gamers through our #NoRoomForAbuse campaign, alongside a collective effort of support and education, we can make real progress in creating a better gaming experience for all.”
