The rape policy should not be changed. Nor should we change how we address it in character.
Mesalia is a server with high standards for a minecraft community and it's standards that we're both proud of and that we should, under no circumstances, lower. By being as amazing an RP community as we are, we've set the bar for what our players and staff is capable of high. Thus we can allow darker rp into subjects that are not comfortable with everyone. By design they are not comfortable, that's the point. Mesalia is the only place you could have a RP that may involve some form of sexual assault and actually see a respectful if not accurate fall out. That is a beautiful thing that I've found in this server, and something I will not see changed.
It is abhorrent to suggest we remove, downplay or ignore this in our RP. It stands as a testament to our standards and it brings much needed attention to subjects IRL that are constantly overlooked because they make people 'uncomfortable'. We can't remove rape or sexual assault from our rules or from what the players are capable of exploring with staff permission. To do so is to marginalize the suffering of those in the community and abroad who have gone through it, and reinforce the shaming of victims. I wont be a party to that, and I'm certain Mesalia will not be either. RP and Mesalia isn't about constant warm fuzzy feelings and hugging, sometimes it's about changing, perseverance, and survival.
We are a capable community. Allowing this to be a part of the setting isn't being a part to the act, it's recognizing it can happen to anyone. It's accepting that it's a thing in our lives and one that should be respected and the victims in which helped. All of which Mesalia has done in the past and I believe will continue to do.
To clarify some issues:
- Rape is never RP'd. Just like sex is never RP'd. OOC the parties (and staff in the case of assault) agree with the act and the RP ends. A time skip occurs to after a point in which the rp is once again in keeping with the PG13 standards. This also applies to IC descriptions of the attacks.
- There is not only consent needed from the players but staff must agree that both players are capable of RPing it out. I can tell you the list of players that staff would approve is short. Because it is a sensitive issue and we do want it portrayed respectfully and correctly.
- Pedophilia is only in the rules to keep from someone playing a preteen who's thinking about sleeping around the server. But in setting this isn't something that can easily be made a law. because it doesn't fit with the medieval theme, in which women were married off and started families as soon as capable of baring children.
- Let me point out this is not just a policy change being suggested from some of you, but one to our lore, which rape is in. In case you missed that, it's in 'Age of Rebirth', 3rd line, 3rd sentence. "Women had been raped." To say this sort of thing didn't happen when a world was enslaved or that it still doesn't is then a realism issue.
- Allowing this in the RP does not show us to be uncaring or complicit in the act. It shows us to be a mature RP community capable of supporting an adult story line. It shows our player mature enough to address the issues IC, without letting OOC feelings get in the way of what genuinely can motivate a lot of RP. It is a touchy issue that can push characters in new directions, which spawns a lot of RP. Which is a good thing.
TLDR;
Rape is a thing. It is a thing in our lore. It is a thing in Mesalia. We have a perm system to keep it respectful and fair. This system isn't broken, and when the rules are followed the RP is respectful and can even help those that have been through similar situations IRL. I believe the original version of the policies regarding sex, rape, pedophilia and pregnancy are acceptable.
