Top Five Tips on Protecting Yourself from Molesters: A Guide for Female Cosplayers
February 9th, 2010 | Published in Fashion and Cosplay, Guides and How-To's | 11 Comments
Wandering hands, upskirt shots, peering down the front of your blouse – these are just some of the perils that female cosplayers (especially the good-looking ones) have to deal with when in costume.
Often the source of internet wank and occasionally even national news, the molestation of female cosplayers will not stop unless the girls start standing up for themselves. Here are five things that lady cosplayers can do to stop the abuse and protect themselves from the wolves.
Wear “body stockings”.
Flesh-toned full-body tights — also known as “body stockings”, are an old Hollywood trick that many major actresses use when filming full or partial nudity shots.
These light and sheer tights cover the entire body exposing only the hands and feet, and can be worn under more revealing costumes to form a physical barrier between you and groping hands. Body stockings are available in stores that specialize in dance and ballet supplies and can be matched to your actual skin tone.
Practice your pose in front of a mirror.
If your character has a signature pose, practice that in front of the mirror with your costume on. That way you can spot any problem areas like skirts riding up to expose you underpants or tops sliding out of place to reveal your brassiere. It’s better to do this at home while you still have the time and resources to fix any possible wardrobe malfunctions, rather than finding pictures of your frilly white panties plastered all over the internet by opportunistic pervs.
Use your props to shield yourself.
If you happen to have an oversized prop with you — like a shield, sword, or gun, you can use this to discretely put some space between yourself and guys posing beside you for photo-ops. If they ask you to put it away so that they can lean in closer to you, decline as politely as you can — make up an excuse that it is fragile or that you don’t want to be out of character.
Bring a posse.
By “bring a posse” we don’t mean hiring an entire platoon of bouncers, but asking people you trust to come to the con with you. This is especially important if you are in a revealing outfit as pervs will gravitate towards you like horseflies to honey. Ask you boyfriend, your cosplay pals — heck, ask your parents!!! — to tag along and watch over you during photo-ops. Photographers and fanboys are known to behave when they know that someone is on guard duty.
Learn to say “No!”.
Most importantly — learn to say no! Saying “No!” does not make you a primadonna or a bitch. Many girls are reluctant to decline requests for guys to put their arms around their waists or on their behinds because these ladies are afraid of the online backlash for their refusal. Many perverts are aware of this, and take advantage of this fact to get a good grope in knowing that the ladies are not likely to complain.
By saying “no” outright, you are drawing a line that most passive-aggressive perverts are reluctant to cross, thereby saving you from their wandering hands and leery eyes. And if he still tries to paw you after you’ve made your feelings clear? That’s the time to bring the house down and kick up a fuss that neither he nor his ilk are soon to forget.
February 10th, 2010at 13:58(#)
“Bring a posse.” Yes, I absolutely agree. As much as other cosplayers don’t want pervy hands on their shoulders or for good grief on their waist, they just can’t gather the courage to brush those hands off or even tell them they don’t like it.
February 10th, 2010at 14:15(#)
i totally agree with your points. dressing in a costume requires courage and responsibility as well…of course people will only see the physical and think if you dress in a certain way you’ll behave a certain way too.
although i also think organizers should have some responsibility on making sure attendees are safe as well..these cosplayers after all are a big reason people flock to an event. i’m not really a cosplayer but i’ve had my fair share of getting harrased during cons or anime-related events.
February 10th, 2010at 15:02(#)
THIS. it’s unfortunate that some local organizers pander to their guests at the expense of the cosplayers and other staff simply because the paying participants pad the bottomline.
these organizers don’t seem to care that the hosts and volunteers and cosplayers are part of the reason their events are so successful, and if they don’t start taking care of these people they might stop participating at all, which in turn will affect their ticket take because paying attendees will no longer flock to their little shindigs.
February 10th, 2010at 16:56(#)
oh yes having someone with you while cosplaying is very helpful. :)
February 10th, 2010at 19:48(#)
But I thought real cosplayers are accessible to their fans! And I mean their whole body! Especially their nipples! :P
February 11th, 2010at 16:10(#)
@knight-in-shining-armor you’re kidding right? o.O
February 11th, 2010at 16:55(#)
Cosplay is a social activity, otherwise we’d be cosplaying alone in our rooms (like J. Edgar Hoover). Bring a posse! Make them wear costumes too! :D
February 11th, 2010at 16:57(#)
… i think i fried my brain imagining a troupe of bouncers in PRINCESS TUTU cosplay >.>
February 13th, 2010at 05:21(#)
Or be in character! If the character’s a bitch, be a bitch. If the character is childish, throw a tantrum. :))
Or make a pose that takes up space, arms on the waist or an elbows-out peace-sign – it’s also more eye-catching in photographs.
Based on observation lang, not real experiences lol.
February 13th, 2010at 05:22(#)
*hands on the waist lol
February 13th, 2010at 13:13(#)
pretty good tips cola — those just mighta actually work!