Unfair Game: Millions of women in gaming suffer online harassment and abuse

Shocking report into online gaming reveals half (49%)of British womengamers are victims of abuse

New campaignfrom Sky Broadbandand Guild Esportsaims to raise awareness of themistreatment of womenin gaming

• New researchhas found almost half of womengamers in the UK have suffered abuse online, with 80% of messages sexual in nature
• Overhalf (52%) of women in gaming admit to feeling worriedabout abusewhen playing video games online
• The level of abuse has been so strong thatone-in-ten (11%)of womenrespondents are left feeling suicidal
• The campaign from Sky Broadband is raising awareness of the abuse that womenface whilst gamingonlineand providing resources to promote personal safety in partnership with Cybersmile
• Female gamers Stephanie Ijoma, Sunpi, Elzthe Witch and Danielle Udogaranya front the campaign in a series of strikingimages that featureabusive words that women have experienced whilst gaming onlineThe broadbandprovider created an immersive experiencein London as part of its partnership with Guild Esports,where participantsexperiencedwomen's mistreatment in gaming first hand

Millions of British women are victims of online abuse according to shocking new study released today.

New research reveals half (49%) of women gamers in Britain have experienced a level ofabuse or harassment when playingor streamingonline, risingto 75% amongst thoseaged 18-24.

The findings delveinto the differing experiencesfaced by both menand women gamers when playing video games on the internet,with over a half(52%)of womenadmitting they feel worried about playing computer games online,over concerns for their mental health.

The survey of 4,000 gamers, commissioned by Sky Broadband, revealed thatover a third (35%) of womensaid they have received violent messages in the past, with 80% stating they'reoften sexual in nature.

Of the women surveyed, half(50%) have felt uncomfortable whilelive streaming due to hate received by other players. Just under a third (31%)of womenplayers have also lied about their gender and remained anonymous during online gameplay.

Over a third(40%) of women have felt personally threatened by the abuse they'veexperienced online, with 27% worried about being attacked in real life following threats made on gaming platforms.

The levels of harassment are so strong that 25% of womensurveyed admitted to feeling depressed with 11% left feeling suicidal. Despite this, 25% wouldn't tell anyone about negative comments they'rereceiving.

The new researchcomes as Sky Broadband created anewimmersive experience in partnership with Guild Esportsat the Sky Guild Gaming Centre in Shoreditchthat shinesa light on the abuse experienced by womengamers in the UK.

The high-level gaming simulator begins as a neutral experience then changes to highlight the terrifying level of harassment that womengamers face daily.

Video content from the experience shows the real-time reactions of male players as they'reslowly given increasingly aggressive messages while they try to game.

Messages such as "Stopplaying a man's game little girl" and "Someone kill this wh*re" can be heard throughout the room, just a snippet of what so many women receive daily.

To launch thefindings and theexperience, Sky Broadband haspartnered with a host of female gamers and gaming experts to feature in a series of striking images that depict some of the abuse they face whilst playing online.

Stephanie Ijoma, Sunpi, Elzthe Witch and Danielle Udogaranya, all regular gamers and content creators, appear in front of a backdrop covered with writing that illustrate true-to-lifeabusive and violent messages that are heard by women in gaming daily.

The four also participatein video content discussing what needs to be done about the rising issue of women's abuse and give their thoughts on men'sreactions to Sky Broadband's immersive simulation.

Stephanie Ijoma, Consultant, Gaming Entrepreneurand founder at NNESAGA said: "As women the abuse we receive on a daily basisis simply unacceptable which is why campaigns like this are so important to challenge the gaming community to become part of the change.It'scrucial that we work together in making the online gaming worldsafer for women as there is absolutely no room for abuse."

Sky Broadband has also partnered with Cybersmileto create a series of interactive educational modules to raise awareness of sexist abuse in gaming, promoting personal safety and empowering gamers to be better informed. The modules cover how to recognise abuse, how to report abusive behaviour and how to become an ally.

Speaking about the campaign, Youtuber and presenter Elzthe Witch,said:"I'mproud to be part of this campaign which is shining a light on the real challengeswomen that play or stream games online face - which is often worse for women from racially diverse backgrounds. It'shugely important that we not only raise awareness but encourage real action - there must be allyship for change to happen."

Over half (51%)of malesreported they have witnessed female streamers being harassed on live streamsand 66% of men and women agree that womenare more likely to experience negative comments whilegaming.

When it comes to defending the victim, 71% of all respondents statedthat they have stepped in to stop any abuse that they have witnessed.

Speaking about the research,Amber Pine,Managing Director, Broadband and Connectivity, Sky Broadband, said:"The results of this research are shocking and should alarm the gaming community. It is completely unacceptable for this type of sexist abuse to be so prevalent. We are determined to improve the experience for women in gaming. We'recalling on players to become allies, and stand with us to make clear there is no room for abuse in gaming"

Jasmine Skee, CEO of Guild Esportssaid: "Improving opportunities for women in esports is a key commitment of our partnership with Sky. While there'sstill work to be done, we'reproud 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."

Sky is encouraging gamers to stand in solidarity, by sharing awareness on their pageswith the tag #NoRoomForAbuse. Those experiencing abuse can visit sky.com/broadband/noroomforabuseto download helpful information about staying safe online, as well how to become an ally for all gamers.

For more information, please contact:

/ 07415 337745 / 07961 420769