Given that cyberspace is a form of virtual reality, where does one draw the line between actual reality and that which is simply perceived as real and which yet has no actual connotations within the context of real life. One such case of something, which occurred virtually and yet has been drawn into real life, is a rape within cyberspace. Now, rape is defined as a physical attack upon a person, sexual in nature, and yet in the case of virtual rape, no physical contact occurred and the "victim" in this case could simply have walked away by shutting down their computer. So is virtual rape, truly rape at all or simply an exaggerated role-play session, which has gone too far. Given that things of this nature can and do happen, how do the administrators of games, and other sites upon the Internet govern what is posted and enforce the rules which have been put into play upon those sites.

Another issue, which comes into play, is the issue of how are such offences dealt with? Is the character banned? If so what is to prevent them from logging on under a different name. There is the ability to IP lock a player so that they cannot log onto a game at all, but perhaps that punishment is a bit extreme? Yet how are such ‘criminals’ to be dealt with? One cannot really take them to court, or call the police for inappropriate on-line behavior, and unfortunately administrators of sites can only do so much. So people must endure these situations, or can they remove themselves from them.

To inflict an emotion form of rape upon a player through their character is indeed possible, for people do often become attached to their characters, having poured bits and pieces of themselves into the personalities of the characters which they play. However to say that an actual rape occurred is stretching the concept a bit. If the players themselves cannot step back from their characters and remember that yes, this is /only/ a game then perhaps they should not be playing the game. If they have been offended, then yes it should be dealt with, but within the context and rules of the game, without dragging issues out into real life (RL).

Given that the Internet is hard to regulate and such ‘attacks’ do occur, how do people keep them from becoming real to them. Certainly, players can just turn off their computers or walk away from their keyboards, rather than submit themselves to what is occurring. Another choice is that they could complain to one of the administrators and have it dealt with in that manner or the player could deal with it inthe Internet. In this alone did they have a choice as the choice to remain playing and take it was theirs and no one else's to make. They could have simply complained to a wizard or admin, or even gone so far as to have logged off, rather than putting up with abuse. There is no way for the law to punish people who abuse others via the Internet, and hence the administrators on sites and games are expected to do so. Yet many take a non-involvement approach rather than ensuring that their players are happy witrs and users are expected to obey those rules or pay whatever price is set. Given this warning, why then do players not accept that yes they may find something offensive and if they do, then deal with it in an IC manner or simply walk away from the keyboard.

Admittedly, no player or person should have to leave a site because someone is purposefully being obscene and making them feeling uncomfortably, but the article states that the two characters involved were raped in their own living rooms via the Internet. In this alone did they have a choice as the choice to remain playing and take it was theirs and no one else’s to make. They could have simply complained to a wizard or admin, or even gone so far as to have logged off, rather than putting up with abuse. There is no way for the law to punish people who abuse others via the Internet, and hence the administrators on sites and games are expected to do so. Yet many take a non-involvement approach rather than ensuring that their players are happy with the way the game is being run.

Now, an administrator on a game would look at this differently than a player does I suppose, and yet who must make the final decisions. The administrators must do this to ensure that their player base is happy. If only a single player is offended then perhaps a simple talk between the players with a wizard mediator could suffice to deal with the problem. If a large number of players are offended, then perhaps banning the player, or destroying that character are legitimate answers but not game should even discuss for three months what should be done. Now admittedly, the idea of a mob mentality on a game does occur and yet how is a democratic mentality any better? It still results in a large group of people deciding as a whole what will happen to a single player.

One must remember that sites are open to interpretations, as are games and that they are just that, peoples opinions and games, and not reality. Rather they are expressions of reality as some people see it, and not everyone will agree with that point of view. It will never be truly possible to regulate the Internet and what is posted on it, just as it is not possible to fully regulate what is posted on bulletin boards, on flyers and in advertisements.

Just as there are laws in real life there are laws of ‘netiquette’ which govern interactions on-line. However, not all players live by these laws, and things that may be offensive are posted, or role-played out. Such is the nature of the Internet, just as it is the nature of real life as well. Also, what may be offensive to one person may not be deemed as such by another as people all have different standards of what is offensive and what is acceptable.

However, rape is offensive to all, unless it is a mutually agreed upon role-play designed for a specific purpose and then usually the scene is not played out, simply because it is offensive to 95% of players. However, just as rape occurs in real life, it does occur on games as well. Both in real life and on games it should not, but it is a very hard thing to prevent, especially on-line. People must realize these risks and also learn to separate real life from what occurs on-line. What occurs on-line cannot be fully regulated though administrators of games and web-sites do their best, hence patrons must also be tolerant of what occurs. Lastly, people play games and surf the web of their own free accord. If they dislike what they are seeing, then they can simply walk away from the keyboard, or turn off their computer. To choose to stay in a situation that is uncomfortable is a choice the players and users make, and which no one can make for them. Certainly, no one should be allowed to force them off a game by making them uncomfortable, but administrators of games and sites can prevent this by taking a hands on approach to the sites and games they are responsible for. If someone is being inappropriate, speak up. Don’t just sit there and take it, rather deal with it in a fitting manner and then move on.