Protecting Our Players Accord

[The Church of Satan]

I agree with this, may be lost in the crowd, but if this starts spreading, how many posts will be spread. The Pacific, Pacifica, TBH, TRR, all will be affected if we do not take a stand on this. I would suggest a treaty that people sign onto, but I feel that it wouldn't work

I don't think TRR would be at risk. Protecting our players has been the standard in TRR for years. As long as I've been in the region there has never been any doubt about that,

[The Holy Principality of Saint Mark]

It has not been in issue in TWP, either.
We and the other signatories are just trying to set an example.
The more regions that sign on, the more it becomes clear to the places where this sort of thing is tolerated that this should no longer be acceptable anywhere in NS.

[Tim Stark]

Yeah I'm struggling to see what the stand we're supposed to make agains this is..

You know what is an important stand? This Accord. Administrative Teams across the community making clear that their regions will not tolerate this kind of behavior. There is no acceptable reason for this kind of shit to be happening in communities of a fucking political simulation.

[The Holy Principality of Saint Mark]

Exactly.

[Democratic Republic Of Unified States]

Yeah I'm struggling to see what the stand we're supposed to make agains this is..

You know what i an important stand? This Accord. Administrative Teams across the community making clear that their regions will not tolerate this kind of behavior. There is no acceptable reason for this kind of shit to be happening in communities of a fucking political simulation.

Being a country is not (normally) sexy

[Tim Stark]

Yeah I'm struggling to see what the stand we're supposed to make agains this is..

You know what i an important stand? This Accord. Administrative Teams across the community making clear that their regions will not tolerate this kind of behavior. There is no acceptable reason for this kind of shit to be happening in communities of a fucking political simulation.

Being a country is not (normally) sexy

I mean I've never played my "nation" on this game and never will. I've always played the leader of my nation, but my point stands. If you want to go all sexytime, go download Tinder like a normal person. Keep that shit off of our game.

[The Blaatschapen]

Yeah I'm struggling to see what the stand we're supposed to make agains this is..

You know what i an important stand? This Accord. Administrative Teams across the community making clear that their regions will not tolerate this kind of behavior. There is no acceptable reason for this kind of shit to be happening in communities of a fucking political simulation.

Being a country is not (normally) sexy

Florida is limp for a reason *nods*

[USS Merrimack]

The Government of Pacifica has ratified these accords.

[The Holy Principality of Saint Mark]

Thank you for declaring your region as one that will protect its citizens.

[Aav Verinhall]

The Ragerian Imperium agrees wholeheartedly with these accords, and does hereby announce that we shall be in accordance with them.

[The Holy Principality of Saint Mark]

We welcome your standing with us to protect our players.

[Alkasia]

I missed this accord during my absence from the site. This is great to see and I'm glad prominent regions are making/continuing a stand to keep their communities safe from predatory/manipulative sexual behaviour. It's a shame something like this is even needed, but community support can help a lot more than some think.

[Treadwellia]

Lazarus is in on this. Let's do it!

Signed,

Treadwellia, Delegate of Lazarus

[The Holy Principality of Saint Mark]

We welcome the support of Lazarus in protecting our players.

[Armaros]

I am happy to see Lazarus join this accord!

[North East Somerset]

Signed,

North East Somerset

Delegate of Balder

[The Holy Principality of Saint Mark]

We are happy to include Balder among those regions that would like to set an example of safety.

[ScotlandSerenity]

Signed,

ScotlandSerenity

Founder and Delegate of Krillin

[Illahee]

Here we stand.

Signed,

Illahee, Founder of The Sasquatch Republic

[The Holy Principality of Saint Mark]

We welcome your standing with us to help set an example for safety.

[The Seeker of Power]

As the New Pacific Order slowly restarts to rebuild international relationships after a long period of introspection and analysis, I'm happy to announce we would like to add our signature to the Protecting Our Players Accord. The New Pacific Order is about community. And protecting the community is key. Hence,

Signed on Behalf of the New Pacific Order

East Durthang, Emperor
Pierconium, Consul

Japanese Schoolgirls, Pontifex
Jar Wattinree, Tribune
Shnailand, Censor
T-Ara, Vox Populi
The Seeker of Power, Legatus
Xoriet, Praetor

[The Holy Principality of Saint Mark]

Thank you for your support of this important position.
Welcome aboard!

[Escade]

I'm glad to see this and glad to see so many regions signing off. This is the realization of how many bad things have happened in this game over years.

My only suggestion or way to go one step forward would be to make an etiquette guidelines or handbook for players about what is and isn't appropriate behavior in the first place (between adults) with examples of what not to do. This might be a thing each region works independently (although I think having clear visible guidelines applicable to all is the safest way to keep everyone on the same page).

There are also many newer players (or often younger players) who seem to not know that they don't need to respond to casual non-sexual comments with discussions about their own sexual interests. It also prevents someone who is engaging in sexual harassment to try to "cover it up" or excuse it by using "mental health\suicide" as a reason to try to manipulate the victim to not report them. If a victim knows what grooming or gaslighting are and how they look that helps them not be psychologically manipulated by that behavior and alert to it.

I think the general works very well as an overall blanket ban and also warning. The specifics of what not to do can help players identify their own problematic behavior or stop before they engage in it. The real world itself, in some places, is trying to get better about sexual harassment. If consent must be articulated in the real world, for example, to prevent bad situations between adults, it stands that consent being articulated in online venues between adults would also help prevent sexual harassment as well.

That and having some sort of list of bad behavior (with the personal details removed such as "Player S was sexually harassing other players to get political favors" with comments like, "..." OR "Player B catfished players by posing as a female and engaged in sexual harassment" using tactics like "...") would both make the bad behavior visible and prevent players from stating they just didn't know better.

While none of us are experts, all of us want safer communities for players. It's also uncomfortable being the one voice that has to tell a player, "hey just because I have a mermaid avatar doesn't mean you can DM me about how you'd like to have sex with mermaids." If the etiquette guidelines are there and visible for all then it also takes away the burden from individuals feeling helpless or withdrawing or avoiding the bad.

Finally, responding to someone's comment above about age and personal details. I know that some have chosen to check IDs or confirm real world identities (which I think is problematic in itself due to concerns about information and doxxing). Technically, no one in NS is obliged to any of your real world information. And that is the way it should be. Instead, the basic etiquette for public channels and areas should be is always assume there is a minor present. Would you say that in front of or to a minor? Later, if you have really gotten to know a person and they have consented in some clear and visible manner that is another situation that is private if safe and consensual. Don't make sexual comments to or about strangers on NS. This is not the venue.

[The Holy Principality of Saint Mark]

Those are thoughtful comments and excellent suggestions, Escade.
What do the other signatories think about attempting to put something like this together?

[Atrony Detonis]

Signed,

Atrony Detonis

On behalf of the Empire of Mare Nostrum