Conduct Report: The Revisioning

[Killix]

Hello everyone,

We have revised the forum procedure for how to report inappropriate conduct from another member or moderator, and we wanted to share with you these updates as well as some important notes. These include red flags to look out for in the case that you spot problematic behavior, but something keeps you from reporting it:

1) You feel the issue is too small to bother with.

Any concern regarding member conduct is one we care about hearing. If someone's behavior is making you uncomfortable, but you feel that it's too minor to mention, tell us anyway. There's no penalty for reporting, and what may seem like a one time thing may continue if left unattended. Not everyone will get along perfectly, but our job is to ensure things remain civil and nobody gets hurt.

2) You feel like this is all in your head.

Chances are this isn't true. This worry can occur in a number of ways, and with each case it’s important to remember that your feelings are valid. It's also important to recognize gaslighting, wherein your thoughts or concerns are delegitimized. This can make the gaslit party feel like they are in the wrong, that they need to apologize for speaking out, and/or that their stated feelings are untrue. If this is happening, stop talking to the gaslighting person and speak to a trusted mod about it. If a mod is gaslighting you, reach out to another mod to get a second opinion on the matter.

3) You worry nobody will believe you

This is a common fear, especially if the person with inappropriate conduct is perceived as well liked, or if they are a mod. The mods are a team of coworkers before anything else, so none of us will put our friendships with other mods or members above another’s concerns. All mods should respond to any reports seriously and investigate them thoroughly.

4) You are worried about hurting the feelings of friends

Reporting an issue should never be cause for losing friends, else it may be worth re-evaluating how healthy that friendship is. Conduct reports are not equivalent to gossip, so emotional ties should not compromise them.


On the flip side, being told that your current behavior is inappropriate is not a mark that you’re a bad person, nor that the mods or reporter(s) dislike you. Everyone has the capacity to change, and we have a twofold purpose behind addressing conduct concerns: assurance to those who brought them up, and giving the other side a chance for improvement. We all make mistakes, and there’s no shame in growing from them.

In general, it's also good to note that behavior issues include incidents that take place in private, as personal conversations are just as much a part of the forum as anything public. If you fear backlash or for your safety, then you can also request to stay anonymous in mod discussion. Everyone on the forum deserves to be in a safe space free from harassment and abuse.

If any of these points have related or relate to you, please remember that you are not alone. The mods are here to talk with you, give advice, and listen. Above all, the mods are here to help. We understand if it has not felt this way in the past, and we're here to recognize the discomfort or helplessness others have felt before and make things right.

If you feel like you have been affected by these issues, past or present, reach out to any currently active member of Mod Squad that you trust and they will do their best to help.

[Killix]

Here is a handy guide for reporting things to the mods:

Post Reporting:
If the issue isn't too serious and is a single post, use the Proboards reporting function. For this, click the gear in the top right corner of each post and click "Report Post". A notification will be sent to the mods, who will take care of things from there. These can be used in the cases of bad language, suspicious links or spambots.

Basic Reports:
If the issue isn't confined to a single post but still worries you and you're comfortable discussing it with the mods, please contact a trusted mod (via PM is preferred) who will immediately discuss it with a fellow mod/admin or bring it to mod squad for further investigation. This can be used for anything from reporting conduct of a member to simply asking the mods if a post or action you want to undertake is okay. No report is too small.

Intermediate Reports:
If the issue is more pressing or has been persistent even though you have reported it, such as something that makes you uncomfortable to be on the forum, and you feel like you need more opinions, you can start a PM with two or more (however many you feel like you need) mods and/or admins for more balanced opinions. If you are worried or unsure about which mods to contact, reach out to a mod you trust and bring it up. They will take somebody on board who both you and they are comfortable with.

Severe reports:
These should be used in cases of modly conduct concerns or illegal activity. If you feel uncomfortable contacting any of the mods directly, reach out to Patjade.

The above are just guidelines. The line of the severity of an issue can blur depending on what it is. If you're unsure which level your issue qualifies under, go with basic reporting and speak with a mod you trust. They will try to make a judgement call. Most commonly, an issue will be brought to mod squad and the mod team in general. If this worries you, request to be made anonymous or escalate your issue to an intermediate or severe report.