Accountability within the community - some changes to ATR
Hello followers and guests alike!
Over the past few months, it has become increasingly obvious to ATR staff that the roleplaying community can be an unpleasant, isolating experience for those who are being bullied, harassed, or otherwise treated unfairly, particularly with regards to manipulation and other less than acceptable behaviour.
ATR has been the primary resource site for Invisionfree and Jcink roleplays since its inception in 2011. That’s seven years of watching the community change in ways we couldn’t have anticipated seven years ago–and it has become apparent that we also need to change with the times. Many of you know that you can use our submissions box to come forward with claims of coding and content theft, but we feel it important to announce that you may now come forward with claims of harassment or abuse by other members of the community.
As always, there will be guidelines in place:
You must have proof. We are mindful that allegations of harassment/abuse/etc are a minefield and have the potential to turn into a witch hunt, therefore we ask for evidence of the allegations as we would with coding/content theft.
You must be open to discussing the evidence. Hearing things, in context, from the individual who submitted evidence is always helpful. This is completely confidential, much like submitting coding/content theft, and what we discuss will never be told to anyone else.
We will approach the individual(s) involved only with your permission. We are always keen to hear both sides of a dispute for reasons of impartiality and so that we might be able to mediate and help both sides reach a solution. In cases regarding bullying and other similar behaviour, should we deem it necessary to speak to the other party/parties involved, we will ask for your permission to do so. Should we gain your permission, we will never mention you by name to the other party.
A complaint does not immediately equal a ban – in the light of multiple complaints, we will reach out to the accused party whilst, as stated above, endeavouring to keep identities anonymous. However, please be aware that in situations such as this there is always the possibility that identities may be deduced despite ATR enforcing a policy of anonymity for all complainants.
As with coding and content theft, repeat offenders will be flagged and blocked from accessing ATR and, if necessary, names of offenders will be passed on to other resource sites.
Roleplaying should be a fun, enjoyable hobby, and the community should not be perforated with rumours of abuse and other behaviours going unchecked. We are hoping that in making this step towards members of the community being held accountable for their actions, situations of bullying and similar issues will decrease, and the community as a whole will become safer and all the more enjoyable for it.
Please feel free to message us with any questions you may have.
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