[MineralMan]

"I wonder if the reason why people attack these characters, is because of the anonymity. They do not know who is inside of the costume, and they truly don't think of them as people, or victims of disrespect or violence.
"

That's probably part of it. The one thing I noticed, though, in following my costumed wife around, was that it was only inebriated men who assaulted the character. Perhaps the alcohol dimmed their minds more than they were already dimmed and they thought it would be funny to harass the funny character.

It's a real hazard. At some theme parks, costumed characters have an escort with them at all times, particularly if the costume is bulky or awkward. I think it should be a rule, frankly.

I can't speak for all the costumes, but that peacock costume my wife was wearing was heavy, unbearably hot, and extremely awkward. It takes an athlete to wear the large costumes, and it's mostly athletic young women who do the job. I tried it on one time. I was 42 years old at the time, and couldn't stay in it more than 15 minutes in the hot sun. I don't know how my wife managed the 30 minute shifts, to tell you the truth. Women are tough!!!!

[Xenalyte]

It's a real hazard. At some theme parks, costumed characters have an escort with them at all times, particularly if the costume is bulky or awkward. I think it should be a rule, frankly.

We only have three characters whose faces are obscured by their costumes - they're giant puppets, about ten feet tall, and they have handlers who accompany them everywhere. (The handlers and the people inside the puppets switch every so often, so they both get a chance to breathe fresh air.)

Drunks are probably 80% of the crap the puppets take, and they take a good deal. The other 20% are smartass kids who like to run their heads into the puppets' crotches, which are actually the wearers' stomachs. Ouch.