A sad milestone: Our first ban

[Claire]

A young community like ours goes through many firsts in its early days. It took us almost three months, but we've just had our first user ban, certainly a sad milestone. But that it took so long for this to happen is also a sign for how responsible the community's members have been in treating each other. I don't remember any cases of deeply insulting criticisms on a story or verbally heated exchanges in the Book Club or the Dining Hall. Given that this is the internet and that our subject matter will not only attract the most wholesome people on the planet, I think we can all be proud of how we conducted ourselves here so far: No social media screaming matches over nothing, no slanderous comments of other users. I think it is remarkable that a community that dives so deeply into a very edgy topic like ours isn't cruder than that.

The user that was banned was a walking red flag from the very beginning, essentially announcing with his introduction that he wears forum bans like a badge of honor, seeing them as a proof of his martyrdom against a world that keeps "censoring" him because he is a "little different". I would like this moment to make one thing very clear to everybody registered here: The person who was banned was ultimately banned for making derogatory statements about Lois, the owner of the old RavishU forum, and for doubling down on them after being warned once instead of taking them back and apologizing. He most certainly was not banned for his pro-capitalist politcal views. I could not care less about what any of you think about capitalism or communism or whatever economic system you prefer.

But what I want you to know is this: When you registered here, you did NOT consent to being treated with any less respect than in normal life. You having an account here does not mean that you agreed to other users making jokes about raping you. Yes, our subject matter is dark. Yes, there will be dark and edgy humor in our stories that some outside of our community will find inappropriate like this forum as a whole. But if some other user here seems to think that they can make you part of their rape fantasies or rape jokes without getting your consent first, then they are wrong and I strongly urge you to speak up and let us, the moderators and admins, know. Anybody who registers agrees to the code of conduct section of the forum rules which include:

• We draw a clear line between fantasy and reality.
  Normal societal rules of appropriate behavior apply here. Enjoying erotic fiction, including stories with darker themes, does not change that.
• Consent is key.
  Nonconsensual fantasies can be fun — nonconsensual reality is not. Do not engage in sexual role-play or sexting with another user unless they have given explicit consent. Registering on this forum does not imply consent to participate in any form of sexual interaction.

If somebody crosses these lines in their behavior towards you, don't accept this or leave in silence. And I want to further emphasize that this holds true regardless of whether you're female, male or non-binary. The rape of men is no laughing matter either and you don't have to accept people making rape jokes at your expense either just because you are a man.

Finally, I would like you to report such behavior if you see it on the forum. The Academy is growing and that brings with it that no single person will be able and willing to read every single post made here. So if somebody acts like this towards other members of our community and you see it, please report it.

[Verbal13]

Well said, Claire. We are blessed for your leadership/collaboration on our behalf.
Many thanks for your pains.

Verbal13


The option of kindness is always available.

[Claire]

The option of kindness is always available.

Nicely put, I like that.

[peterfrisk]

That’s a pure ”coffe mug quote” right there. Nicely said

As far as the thing Claire wrote, I agree 100%. That person should find his happiness somewhere else. Good riddance.