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Community guidelines for Equalities Resource Hub users

Read the Promoting Equalities Programme safeguarding framework for more information relating to safeguarding.  

Introduction 

These digital community guidelines are a code of conduct for the digital community that is created through the equalities resource hub and its related communications. The guidelines explain the equalities resource hub core values, behaviours that are encouraged, behaviours that are not tolerated, and what happens if rules are broken.   

Our digital community is not a formal or organised group. Our digital community includes all users of the equalities resource hub, recipients of equalities hub materials and newsletters, people who engage with the equalities hub on social media and those who attend related online events. We consider that, together, these individuals make up a community interested in gender and equalities.  

We want interaction with and use of the equalities hub and its associated materials by community members to be safe, accessible and informative.  

Interaction with the equalities resource hub will vary. Our aim is for all users to access the equalities materials they need, to feel safe when engaging with the equalities hub and to come away well informed. This applies to all types of engagement with the Equalities Resource Hub, whether it is one-way (e.g. a website user or newsletter recipient), is one-off or limited to a particular topic, or if users access the hub regularly and contribute content by email or on social media. In turn, we want the community to use the information they access from the equalities resource hub and associated communications in a safe, positive and relevant way.  

Core values 

The equalities resource hub, and associated projects, are designed to support a “safer, more equitable and prosperous world where all women, girls, and marginalised groups can fulfil their potential, claim their rights and be free from all forms of discrimination.” The Equalities Resource Hub aims to collate high quality, well researched information on one easily accessible platform. We encourage community members to aspire to the following core values:  

  • treat all individuals, including children and adults, equally, irrespective of ethnicity, colour, gender, religion/or none, sexual orientation, disability or other aspect of identity
  • treat people in digital settings as you would treat them in real life
  • be polite and communicate with respect
  • use information and resources in a safe, positive and relevant way
  • be honest, transparent and responsible
  • respect the privacy of other community members
  • contact us if you suspect that community members are misusing the website, causing harm with its information, or if you have other related feedback
  • we have zero tolerance for inaction to discrimination, abuse and harassment caused by the Equalities Resource Hub 

Rules and restrictions 

We do not allow the below behaviour or actions. The below actions will result in consequences including a warning from the Equalities Resource Hub where possible or being removed from newsletter distribution or other digital activities.  

  • do not use information from the Equalities Resource Hub to spread misinformation, malinformation or disinformation. See box 1 below for definitions
  • do not use information from the Equalities Resource Hub to send spam for the purposes of advertising, phishing, spreading malware, etc
  • do not use information from the Equalities Resource Hub to initiate, inform or evidence any negative discrimination, abuse (including hate speech) or harassment (online or in real life). Refer to the definition of malinformation in box 1
  • do not use information from the Equalities Resource Hub to initiate, inform or evidence any real life or digital attacks towards an individual or a group of people
  • do not use information from the Equalities Resource Hub to initiate, inform or evidence any deliberately offensive or provocative online posts which aim to elicit angry responses or upset others (trolling)
  • do not use information from the Equalities Resource Hub to evidence policy, procedure or practice that is in conflict with equalities progress and that is in line with the rollback of human rights, e.g. anti-LGBTIQ+ legislation, legislation that supports child marriage
  • do not adapt the Equalities Resource Hub content to create explicit material 

Misinformation refers to false information that is not intended to cause harm. 

Disinformation refers to false information that is intended to manipulate, cause damage, or guide people, organisations, and countries in the wrong direction. 

Malinformation refers to information that stems from the truth but is often exaggerated in a way that misleads and causes potential harm. 

Source: Canadian Centre for Cyber Security  

If you see any activity that violates these guidelines or our safeguarding policy, please send us a report.  

These guidelines will continue to evolve over time as the Equalities Resource Hub and our associated activities grow. We may take action against a community member that violates the spirit of these guidelines when we encounter a new risk or harm that is not explicitly covered in the current version.