Quote:
Originally Posted by Karthik
To be blunt, this type of unwanted groping is known in most jurisdictions as sexual assault. Unfortunately I've heard many stories like this from students at FRC events, both with mascot and non-mascot perpetrators (often kids giving out "free hugs", with hands that both linger and wander). I know there's a tendency to try and ignore this behaviour in an effort to avoid creating a scene, or inviting unwanted attention. However, this is serious stuff that needs to be reported so it can be stopped. I urge anyone who is a victim or witness to anything like this to please report it to a trusted mentor or volunteer at the event. FIRST has detailed policies and plans to deal with these types of situations, but unless someone is notified, they cannot be brought into action.
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Thix x 1000. If you see a mascot causing an issue, grab the nearest key volunteer (or regional/district committee member), and march them over to the mascot and the team in question.
Explain what happened and issue a formal report. Call them out on it, report them, and if you're truly uncomfortable being around them,
don't ever let anyone tell you it's your fault, or your problem to avoid. Get these people AWAY from FIRST events.
This doesn't even just go for mascots. This goes for ANYONE behaving in an inappropriate manner at events. Report them, immediately. Anyone who behaves like this, student, adult, mentor, volunteer, you name it -- shouldn't be a part of the FIRST community, and reporting issues are the only way to help solve them.