Training modules/Dealing with online harassment/slides/what-is-harassment
Basics: What is harassment?
[edit]Harassment can be difficult to define, as it can appear in many forms. Some of these are more obvious than others, but all forms can be upsetting and distressing to those targeted.
The Friendly Spaces expectations define it as:
- offensive comments related to gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, political affiliation, or religion
- violence, threats of violence, deliberate intimidation, and personal attacks
- stalking, following, or continued one-on-one communications after being asked to cease
- sustained disruption of discussion
- deliberately revealing a person's identity without their consent
- publication of non-harassing private communication
You may have experienced harassment yourself on the Wikimedia projects, or you may have seen someone else experience it. Either way, you almost certainly know how horrible it can feel.
Harassment isn't always blatant name-calling; at times it can be specifically designed to be subtle, in a way that's meaningful only to the target. You may not think a particular situation is harassment, but when you receive a report or complaint, you must examine the context and background. In situations like this, try to deal compassionately with the situation, listen empathetically, evaluate the evidence objectively, and determine how you may be able to assist.