Minnie Mouse groped

[mkt]

Not sure what the law is in Florida, but I know that in California an employer cannot fire (or reliate in any way against) an employee who makes a claim of harassment or discrimination. It sounds like this was "battery" so it may work differently because of that as well. I don't know. Also, in some states, the employee would have had the right to file a harassment claim against their employer if the employer didn't make reasonable efforts to stop the offending behavior. From what I've read about this case, it doesn't sound as though Disney did anything to try and stop the guy. If this is something that "happens all the time" (as many posters in this thread have claimed), then a group of Disney CMs could possibly put together a class action suit against Disney for not taking precautions to prevent this sort of thing... and again, in some states they would definitely have a case. But again, I'm not sure how it is in Florida.

I believe Florida has similar laws in place.

That being said, I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the number of times I personally witnessed labor laws broken at WDW.

 

[DMC-12]

I believe Florida has similar laws in place.

That being said, I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the number of times I personally witnessed labor laws broken at WDW.

Oh man... the stories you could tell (and have, lol). :lol::lol:

But I am not opening THAT can of worms. :goodnevil

You should write a book though. :lol::lookaroun

 

[hrcollectibles]

Understood. But in this case, alcohol isn't even sold in the MK. You can't weigh that he didn't show up already intoxicated though. And who was he trying to "impress?" His grandchildren? No. Since this happened on June 7th (Gay Days) maybe he was trying to prove himself. Think about it. You can't throw it out.

Or maybe he was participating in the Gay Days himself and not trying to prove anything. I have to question had a women done the same thing to this cast member would she have been taken to court. Or if Minnie Mouse's friend was a guy and this guy did this to him would this be going to court.

 

[sbkline]

Minnie was groped by a 59-year-old man at the Magic Kingdom on June 7th. Video from the court room was released yesterday. (Sorry if this has been posted. I searched and didn't find anything on it.)

I can't believe some guests do this to characters. Just listen to the poor woman's testimony in the video.

http://www.wftv.com/news/20348258/detail.html

I can't believe a person would actually think they could cop a good feel through all that costume fabric. Kind of like those times that a costumed character is accused (whether rightly or wrongly) of sneaking in a little feel when posing with a guest. Why risk your job, and legal penalties when those gloves are going to keep you from enjoying what you're touching in the first place? :hammer:

 

[agent86]

I can't believe a person would actually think they could cop a good feel through all that costume fabric. Kind of like those times that a costumed character is accused (whether rightly or wrongly) of sneaking in a little feel when posing with a guest. Why risk your job, and legal penalties when those gloves are going to keep you from enjoying what you're touching in the first place? :hammer:

My guess is he was just trying to be funny and wasn't literally TRYING to "cop a feel". Still, it's good he was punished because it's a good example of how people do need to raise their level of awareness and sensitivity. Obviously the CM didn't see the humor in it, and rightfully so.

 

[nepalostparks]

Sure hope that he gets a nice write-up in his hometown newspaper.

I imagine there will be a write up in the Pottsville Republican Herald (the hometown newspaper) tomorrow.

This story ran on the local news:
http://www.wnep.com/wnep-schuyl-minnie-mouse-groper-guilty,0,4579896.story

I saw the forum post headline before and didn't bother to read it. Until I realized this guy was from my neck of the woods. Whether it was an intentional act or an 'act of bad judgement' to be funny, it was still wrong.

If anything, I hope this will be a warning for others that mistreating a costumed character, in any shape or form, is wrong and won't be tolerated.

 

[joanna71985]

In that short dress she was asking for it.

Oh, come on. You've seen how Minnie dresses. She was asking for it.

I'm sorry, but I don't really think that's funny.

Now because she spoke up does this mean she'll lose her job??

I sure hope not

So if a personal assault is taking place with the character and the handler is not taking action for whatever reason, can't the costumed cm walk away?

Yes, characters are allowed to walk off if they are in trouble, and are able to do so.

 

[_Scar]

I'm sorry, but I don't really think that's funny.

Well, I'm guessing they were just trying to lighten the mood after everyone's "what a pervert! who would do such a thing?" posts. I admit I posted one of them, but I still laughed at these posts.

 

[disneybuff79]

No more than the Appliance Direct/Scratch & Dent World commercials. :fork:

now you know more, than salesman do! Appliance direct! lol

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I'm sorry, but I don't really think that's funny.



.

Thanks for letting me know.

 

[drew81]

Ive heard that story. And then there's the one from 5 years ago about Pluto from DAK.

Was he attacked by a tour group? I can't remember.

So if a personal assault is taking place with the character and the handler is not taking action for whatever reason, can't the costumed cm walk away?

I can understand the Disney policy in relation to "integrity" but seems like the CM could make a personal judgment call if they feel the situation warrants and just exit the area and head backstage to report it.

If they get reprimanded for it later, then shame on Disney management! In the real world, there comes a point where employee safety overrides any "show" factor.

Yes they can walk off set. Sometimes that is hard to do though. I know of one time when Donald was on set with a big line and guest came up to Donald and said something like "you guys have to deal with this" and then the guest physically hurt Donald's shoulder. Then Donald walked off set and left all the guests waiting to see him. One bad apple can ruin it for the rest of the group.

 

[luvlifeinfl]

According to MSNBC.com the guy was found guilty. Here is article link.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32369041

 

[RWilliams]

Disney should be smart enough to avoid the public relations nightmare that would be her termination due to this. If she hasn't been fired over this yet, she won't be fired over this.

I've seen her since the incident, but not since it hit the news. I'm assuming that she's still employed.

So if a personal assault is taking place with the character and the handler is not taking action for whatever reason, can't the costumed cm walk away?

I can understand the Disney policy in relation to "integrity" but seems like the CM could make a personal judgment call if they feel the situation warrants and just exit the area and head backstage to report it.

If they get reprimanded for it later, then shame on Disney management! In the real world, there comes a point where employee safety overrides any "show" factor.

A character can walk off set if attacked or feeling threatened and they often do. The way the meet and greet in Judge's tent is set up, Minnie was likely backed into a corner and could not get away. She also can not leave the room without clearance. She is a seasoned performer so I'm sure she did everything she could to get out of the situation without alarming the others guests in the room.

Was he attacked by a tour group? I can't remember.



Yes they can walk off set. Sometimes that is hard to do though. I know of one time when Donald was on set with a big line and guest came up to Donald and said something like "you guys have to deal with this" and then the guest physically hurt Donald's shoulder. Then Donald walked off set and left all the guests waiting to see him. One bad apple can ruin it for the rest of the group.

Yeah, he said- "you guys get paid a lot of money to deal with pain like this" and dislocated Donald's shoulder. The man had 2 small children with him! Donald had to go to the hospital and security were not able to track the man down.

There was a boy in judges tent, about 11 years old, that kicked Mickey between the legs. He was confronted about it and his excuse was "I thought he was a stuffed animal"

There are far too many of these occurances. I think in most cases its just plain stupidity and guests getting over excited and carried away and not maliciousness (except in the two cases stated above of course), but it still shouldn't happen.

 

[CoasterKing]

Kind of like those times that a costumed character is accused (whether rightly or wrongly) of sneaking in a little feel when posing with a guest.:hammer:

Funny you should mention that. One time I saw Minnie Mouse over at EPCOT when the crowds were light and there was actually no one else in that area. I went over to say "Hi" and pose for a picture. Well, Minnie seemed a little flirtatious, rubbing her hands on my back and around my waist, you know, moreso than what you would expect. But she never touched me in an inappropriate place. After the picture was taken and I was starting to walk away, she grabbed my hand and pulled me back for a little more harmless flirting and even a couple innocent kisses.

I finally got back to my girlfriend, who was taking the picture, and we both had a good laugh. Of course I got to here, "Oh, I see you gotcha a new girlfriend."

And then, here comes Minnie from behind me, and she gave me a great big hug and kiss from behind. We again both laughed and I got ribbed the rest of the day for having Minnie flirt with me!!

Minnie never crossed the line as far as I was concerned and I don't think she was trying to sneak a feel, but I guess it could happen. I sure hope it was a girl in that costume though!! :ROFLOL: Which, by the way, was another topic my girlfriend ribbed me on as well.

CoasterKing :king:

 

[Rogue21]

"Real" men . . . and women

Or maybe he was participating in the Gay Days himself and not trying to prove anything. I have to question had a women done the same thing to this cast member would she have been taken to court. Or if Minnie Mouse's friend was a guy and this guy did this to him would this be going to court.

Kudos to Brittany for standing up to the old lech!

And also, IMHO, a "real" man (or woman) who is comfortable with who they are doesn't need to be groping anyone, let alone a giant mouse, to prove anything. The gender of those involved is irrelevant.

 

[mkt]

I can understand the Disney policy in relation to "integrity" but seems like the CM could make a personal judgment call if they feel the situation warrants and just exit the area and head backstage to report it.

If WDW operated with the concepts of "we are responsible adults" and "common sense" then yes.

In theory, a CM can make that judgment call and walk off set with no consequences. In practice however, the CM that does that is risking disciplinary action if management is informed.

That being said, I personally walked off set without any actions taken against me, walked off set and had to fill out incident reports, and walked off set and had a documented stern talking to.

 

[mkt]

I sure hope it was a girl in that costume though!!

How many relatively thin 5 foot tall men do you know?

It's likely a girl.

 

[Gucci65]

I know I'm dreaming, but I hate to hear that things like this happen in WDW.

WDW is a place for me to escape from reality and this brings it crashing back to the real world.

In any event, glad the CM spoke up and did not let him get away with it.

 

[fosse76]

My guess is he was just trying to be funny and wasn't literally TRYING to "cop a feel". Still, it's good he was punished because it's a good example of how people do need to raise their level of awareness and sensitivity. Obviously the CM didn't see the humor in it, and rightfully so.

That was my inital reaction as well.

 

[bearboysnc]

Its shocking how naive you folks are when it comes to this. This happens all the time, its just not reported.

You're shocked because we're naive, of something that never gets reported?