Universal Code of Conduct/2021 consultations/Discussion

Universal Code of Conduct

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This page contains discussion topics for the Universal Code of Conduct community consultation from April–May 2021. For more information, see the 2021 consultations page and the Universal Code of Conduct overview.

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The Wikimedia Foundation is seeking input about the application of the Universal Code of Conduct.

The goal of this consultation is to help outline clear enforcement pathways for a drafting committee to design proposals for a comprehensive community review later this year. The proposals may integrate with existing processes or additional pathways that may be suggested. For more information about the UCoC project, see Universal Code of Conduct overview.

Ongoing discussions should be listed at the 2021 consultations page. There are five topics with several questions to help start conversations. Feedback provided will have a significant impact on the draft for enforcement guidelines that will be prepared following the comment period.

• Please do not feel obligated to answer every question, focusing on what is important or impactful. We understand giving opinions on this topic can be difficult.
• While it will be necessary to describe experiences in a general way, these discussions are not the place to re-visit previously decided matters which should be handled at a more appropriate location.
• Each topic has several questions to help understand how the Universal Code of Conduct might interface with different communities.
• For answers to some frequently asked questions, please see this page.

Please note: If you wish to report a specific incident, please use existing pathways. If that is not an acceptable pathway, outlining in more general terms why the existing process does not work will be useful. Please avoid sending incident reports or appeals to facilitators or organizers. The people organizing discussions are not the staff that handle specific abuse reports or appeals and are not able to respond in that capacity.

Community Support

1. How can the effectiveness of anti-harassment efforts be measured?
2. What actions can be taken and what structures should be available to support those being targeted by harassment and those that respond to conduct issues?
3. What formal or informal support networks are available for contributors? What is necessary for these groups to function well, and what challenges are there to overcome?
4. What additional opportunities are there to deliver effective support for contributors? What would be useful in supporting communities, contributors, targets of harassment, and responders?

Reporting Pathways

1. How can reporting pathways be improved for targets of harassment? What types of changes would make it more or less challenging for users to submit appropriate reports?
2. What is the best way to ensure safe and proper handling of incidents involving i) vulnerable people; ii) serious harassment; or iii) threats of violence?
3. In your experience, what are effective ways to respond to those who engage in behaviours that may be considered harassment?
4. In what ways should reporting pathways provide for mediation, reform, or guidance about acceptable behaviours?

Managing Reports

1. Making reporting easier will likely increase the number of reports: in what ways can the management of reports be improved?
2. What type of additional resources would be helpful in identifying and addressing harassment and other conduct issues?
3. Are there human, technical, training, or knowledge-based resources the Foundation could provide to assist volunteers in this area?
4. How should incidents be dealt with that take place beyond the Wikimedia projects but are related to them, such as in-person or online meetings?

Handling Reports

1. In what ways should reports be handled to increase confidence from affected users that issues will be addressed responsibly and appropriately?
2. What appeal process should be in place if participants want to request a review of actions taken or not taken?
3. When private reporting options are used, how should the duty to protect the privacy and sense of safety of reporters be balanced with the need for transparency and accountability?
4. What privacy controls should be in place for data tracking in a reporting system used to log cross-wiki or persistent abusers?

Global Questions

1. How should issues be handled where there is no adequate local body to respond, for example, allegations against administrators or functionary groups?
2. In the past, the global movement has identified projects that are struggling with neutrality and conduct issues: in what ways could a safe and fair review be conducted in these situations?
3. How would a global dispute resolution body work with your community?