What is Abuse?

What is Abuse?
The definition of abuse is physical, emotional or psychological injury caused by mistreatment or the misuse of power associated with authority. It is a corrupt practice or custom, improper or excessive use or treatment. It is a deceitful act, it is a communication that condemns or vilifies unjustly, intemperately and angrily. Abuse can be either intentional or unintentional. In bref, the misuse of any tool or technique created or used with intent or that unnecessarily causes; intimidation, distrust, stress, anxiety, fear, pain and/or injury and includes anything that causes unnecessary physical, psychological or emotional harm. The term "necessary" only applies when it's necessary to handle a situation or an user, keep them and the community safe or save them from harm and no other tool could be used or have worked.

On 7 cups
Modding tools (such warning system in group support, deletion of forum posts...), come with high risk of misuse or abuse. And it's why 7cups definited clear rules and warnings to be used, as well as policies and guidelines specifically for the moderators.

Fear-Free Tools for mods
- Active listening skills
- Descalading skills
- Redirection of the conversation
- Sensitivity and compassion for members
- An accurate understanding of the community guidelines, forum and chatroom rules
- Explication of the rules
- An understanding of the topic of the forum category, chatroom or subcommunity they are in.
- Friendship ;) knowning your regular members and build a good relationship with.
- Recognize the signs of stress, anxiety and fear.
- Get replaced when you feel emotive, triggered, impartial or unable to stay neutral.
- Explaining what rule was broken and why.

There is clearly abuse when
- Forum posts or chatroom messages are being removed without break any community guidelines.
- The mod is unable to explain why they removed the message or issue the warning.
- A chatroom moderator issue warnings while they are lurking/not participating in the conversation.
- Forum posts are edited without the mod reply the message for explain this action
- The warning used doesnt fit with the real reason. Or a new rule was created by the mod in this own interest.
- No other tools was used before the punishment.
- Several warnings are issues in very short time, not giving time to members to change their behaviors.
- Instant mutes without warning.
- It causes general distrust into the community.
- Members are traumatized by the intervention, or have a panic attack.
- Members don't feel safe to return on 7cups, forums or chatrooms.

Abuse of powers associated with leadership roles such forum or chatroom moderators should lead into automatic removal of the powers and the role, and 4 behavior report points, and not can (re)apply for this role or any other leadership role for 3 months.