We're going to break from procedure here a little bit. Normally, we don't go out of our way to comment on individual bans or lack thereof. However, in this case, we do see that there's a general call for clarification, and by doing so, we can hopefully shed some light on our decision.
In regard to Ortix's post, we've seen the reports made against it and have been discussing it. However, we've been stretched thin, staff-wise, due to the pandemic as well as real life situations. This happens, and it's not an easy situation for us to resolve. After spending the afternoon discussing it, we've made a decision, and Ortix will take a two week ban for the post due to some insensitive comments made over sexual assault allegations. Further posts of this nature will incur heavier and heavier bans, as is our policy. A number of individual lines from Ortix included insensitive or inflammatory comments regarding the situation, and are simply unacceptable. Several staff members, including women and abuse survivors, were involved in this decision.
On that note, I'd like to remind everyone that our staff members are not automated machines. We're humans just like you, with real lives, who volunteer on our own time to help moderate this place. We come from a lot of different backgrounds and ethnicities, and we've all got our own histories. This includes some of us being survivors of abuse, be it sexual, physical, or another type. Many of us try to commit as much time as we can, but unfortunately reality does get in the way. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for many of us to dedicate as much time as we'd like, and the elections, with all of it's controversy and drama, has impacted us just as much as it has you.
We're going to re-open this thread now, as we feel it's a discussion that needs to be had. Sexual assault victims (as well as victims of other types of assault) need to know this is a safe place for them, and that their thoughts and concerns are being heard. However, for that to happen, the discussion needs to remain civil for everyone involved. We cannot have this thread devolving into what it's been for the past few pages, as this leads to issues such as assault victims who have their own disagreements being silenced and bullied themselves. We have observed this repeatedly and have received private complaints about this from members who would like to participate, but are afraid to for fear of being lashed out at, and they have to be considered as well. So, please keep that in mind when you're talking to your fellow members.
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