Riot Video games harassment coverage probably restricts investigation of historic sexual harassment claims in line with Esports Code of Conduct

Content material Warning: This text mentions sexual harassment and assault. You probably have suffered from any of the problems mentioned on this article and are looking for assist, please go to the Survivors Belief web site to entry the obtainable helplines. 

Riot Video games harassment coverage outlined within the Riot Video games Espots Code of Conduct could stop investigation into historic accounts of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.

Just lately alleged incidents of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and grooming in League of Legends esports have raised considerations about safeguarding. Nevertheless, Riot Video games harassment coverage features a six-year time limitation for investigations, topic to undefined “exceptions.”

Latest misconduct allegations and understanding Riot Video games harassment coverage 

Latest allegations have surfaced concerning sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and grooming in League of Legends. These allegations date from 2017 to 2019.

Esports Information UK first reported on former professional participant Matúš ‘Neon’ Jakubčík’s admission in a YouTube video that he confronted alleged sexual harassment from a member of Origen. 

Following this, two new people got here ahead to Esports Information UK privately to share extra alleged sexual misconduct. These incidents allegedly occurred when each people had been minors. 

All three alleged incidents could be impacted by Sections 4.10 and 5.3 of the Riot Video games Esports Code of Conduct. 

If Riot Video games determines the allegations as not being “notably egregious,” they’ve grounds to refuse to research because of the incidents happening over six years in the past.

Part 4.10 of the Riot Video games Esports Code of Conduct

Within the Riot Video games Esports Code of Conduct 2025, incidents of sexual harassment or different sexual misconduct are primarily coated by part 4.10. This part is as follows:

“Harassment / Sexual Harassment. 

Esports Professionals could not have interaction in any type of harassment. 

Harassment is outlined as unwelcome and undesirable behaviors that diminish, demean, or in any other case intimidate. This rule additionally prohibits sexual harassment, which is outlined as any type of unwelcome sexual advances. An advance is unwelcomed if the particular person being harassed would regard the conduct as undesirable or offensive. 

Stalking, conduct that includes threats of violence (whether or not bodily or on-line) and sharing private data of one other particular person with out permission are thought-about types of harassment as is any conduct by a person that incites or encourages abuse by others. 

All types of harassment are prohibited, even when the conduct isn’t sufficiently extreme or pervasive to represent illegal exercise below relevant regulation.” 

This explicitly prohibits any type of sexual harassment or misconduct. All three alleged incidents would possible match below this ruling. The alleged perpetrator, David Primo, was co-founder of Origen and actively concerned in taking part in League of Legends esports. 

Nevertheless, reporting sexual harassment or another sexual misconduct below part 4.10 doesn’t assure investigation. Part 5.3 of the Riot Video games Esports Code of Conduct revealed time limitations to investigations, with undefined “exceptions.”

Part 5.3.b of the Riot Video games Esports Code of Conduct

In part 5.3 of the Code of Conduct, Riot Video games outlines time limitations to investigations following conduct-breaking behaviour. 

This part covers subsections (a) “dishonest, underperformance, or different issues associated solely to a selected sport or match”; (b) “bribery, match-fixing, sexual harassment, or violation of legal regulation”; and (c) “all different suspected violations of this Code of Conduct.” 

Every subsection has an individually utilized time limitation to investigations. Subsection (b) violations, which embody sexual harassment or violation of legal regulation, won’t be investigated if greater than six years have elapsed for the reason that incident. 

The 5.3.b subsection reads as follows:

“If a suspected violation of this Code of Conduct includes bribery, match-fixing, sexual harassment, or a violation of legal regulation, Riot won’t conduct an investigation of that violation if greater than six years have elapsed from the date of the alleged conduct and the date of our discovery of the violation.”

Part 5.3 “exceptions”

It’s decided in an extra Part 5.3 paragraph that there are some exceptions to this time limitation for investigations. Nevertheless, it’s not explicitly clarified as to what these exceptions are. 

The paragraph on exceptions reads as follows: 

“The limitation intervals set out above are basic guidelines which might be topic to exceptions if Riot Video games decide that notably egregious conduct has occurred. The graduation of an investigation by Riot or its designee will droop the relevant limitations interval. If the violation occurred over time, the restrictions interval runs from the day on which the final occasion of the alleged conduct occurred.” 

How might Riot Video games harassment coverage influence latest misconduct allegations?

Riot Video games doesn’t outline how they might decide an incident to be regarding “notably egregious conduct” below Part 5.3. 

Sexual harassment is explicitly talked about below Part 5.3.b, suggesting that it will sometimes be topic to the six-year time constraint. 

The European Institute for Gender Equality determines that sexual harassment is considerably underreported. Widespread causes for this are “worry that the report wouldn’t be believed or taken severely,” and “worry of destructive influence on profession.”

Research have additionally defined that the emotional complexity of sexual harassment usually leads to prolonged intervals of processing and understanding. 

Male victims have been decided to probably be even much less prone to report situations of sexual harassment in comparison with ladies. 

Subsequently, as a result of the Riot Video games harassment coverage explicitly locations a time constraint on reporting harassment, many instances could also be left with out correct investigation. Typically, this may merely be as a result of victims weren’t prepared to debate their expertise. 

It’s unknown at time of writing whether or not Riot Video games will launch any formal investigation into the allegations made by Neon and the 2 further nameless victims. 

Esports Information UK has requested clarification from Riot Video games concerning how the Riot Video games Esports Code of Conduct could influence potential investigations. 

At time of publishing, Riot Video games has but to reply to the request for remark. 

You probably have been affected by any of the subjects mentioned on this article and wish to achieve out for assist, please go to The Survivors Belief. On their web site, you will discover hyperlinks and telephone numbers for main charities and organisations supporting sexual harassment and sexual assault survivors. 

Safeline supplies help and confidential companies particularly for males who’ve skilled sexual harassment or abuse. 

Hannah is a author specialising within the esports, gaming, and expertise sectors. Working for shops similar to Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and naturally ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, though it might by no means surpass her drive to passionately beat her associates in each sport of Mariokart. You might have seen her at numerous esports and gaming occasions, together with ESI London, EGX, Uncover: Esports and lots of League of Legends watch events.