Community We Need to Talk
Some things have recently come to light in our community and its something we really need to talk about. Several brave women have stepped forth to talk about their abuser. This abuser's actions, their attitude about the situation, their conduct and the fact they were at times protected within our community is unequivocally unacceptable. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, physical abuse, mental abuse, intimidation. These were the weapons that were used and these were the things that were swept under the rug.
I have thought for a long time since reading the posts of the incredibly brave women that have stepped forward. I have thought about what my duty is as a member of the community, what my duty as a woman is, and what my duty as a human being is. After much reflection I have decided that in all of these cases it is the same. Unmoving support for the victims of this monster and fighting towards a day when it is never allowed to happen again.
This behavior is not allowed to continue in our community. It has no place here. I don't care who you are in the community, what weight your name carries. I stand with the victims both heard and too scared to come forward. I stand with the women and minorities often targeted at higher rates. I stand with those trapped in an abusive situation and too scared to leave because of who their abuser is.
We can not as a community decide to learn nothing from this situation. There were alot of failings here that we can't turn away from. Reactions of people close to the abuser who either defended him or dismissed the behavior. Statements about shock from a system that had been informed many times over of who they were working with only after the truth came to light for the rest of us. We have failed. The publishers like Wizard have failed. The celebrities who protected failed. The community that allowed the place for this to fester failed. If you are in a situation which makes you afraid we have failed you.
I have chosen to speak to the community I have grown to love for the simple reason that we should all feel safe. I am not afraid to name the monster, Zak Smith aka Zak Sabbath. He deserves no sympathies from me or anyone else in our community. I am not afraid to stand with Mandy Morbid, with Vivka Grey, with Jennifer and with Hannah. My heart and love goes out to the victims. We can never do enough to make this up to you. Ladies you have my sword and shield in this fight to keep our community safe, anything you need please let me know.
To further shed light on the situation I have included the links to their posts about their situations below. As of writing this they have asked that their stories be heard, but I have not gotten permission to copy their posts into here as of yet. I will warn that anyone triggered by abuse, rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault, physical violence, or abuse of both a physical and mental nature please take caution when reading them.