Wikipedia:Identity-based harassment

Identity-based harassment is a pattern of repeated offensive behavior that appears to a reasonable observer to intentionally target a specific person or persons on the basis of race, gender, religion, nationality or national origin, age or disability. Usually (but not always) the purpose is to make the target feel threatened or intimidated, and the outcome may be to make editing Wikipedia unpleasant for the target, to undermine, frighten, or discourage them from editing. Identity-based harassment of any user, even those who have been blocked, banned, or otherwise sanctioned, is prohibited as incompatible with Wikipedia's civility policy and damaging to the work of building an encyclopedia.

Retaliation by administrators and other editors for raising an allegation of identity-based harassment, or for opposing harassing practices is prohibited. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to abridge the freedom of a Wikipedia editor to express their thoughts in a respectful and appropriate manner, or to prevent the pursuit of consensus, a vital facet of Wikipedia.

Types of harassment

 * Sexual harassment is "unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature." This may include unwanted sexual jokes, teasing, remarks, questions, comments, innuendos and stories.
 * Gender-based harassment is intimidating, harassing or hostile conduct towards another editor based on gender, sexual stereotypes, sexual orientation, or gender identity, but not of a sexual nature, when such behavior is "sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it interferes with or limits a person's ability" to participate in, benefit form or enjoy Wikipedia.
 * Racial harassment is unwelcoming behavior based on an editor's race, color, national origin or ancestry. This may include the use of hate speech, racial or ethnic slurs, or offensive or derogatory commentary. Such behavior is considered harassment when "it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment."
 * Religious harassment is hostile behavior towards another editor based on that editor's religion or irreligion, when that behavior is so egregious or persistent that it inhibits a person's ability to enjoy Wikipedia, or creates a hostile environment for other editors.
 * Age-based harassment is treating someone unfavorably based on their age, when such behavior is so egregious or persistent that is inhibits a person's ability to enjoy Wikipedia, or creates a hostile environment for other editors.
 * Disability-based harassment is unfriendly behavior towards another editor based on a physical or mental disability that that editor has, has had, or is perceived to have, when such behavior is so egregious or persistent that is inhibits a person's ability to enjoy Wikipedia, or creates a hostile environment.

Off-wiki harassment
Harassment of other Wikipedians in forums not controlled by the Wikimedia Foundation creates doubt as to whether an editor's on-wiki actions are conducted in good faith. Off-wiki harassment will be regarded as an aggravating factor by administrators and is admissible evidence in the dispute-resolution process, including Arbitration cases. In some cases, the evidence will be submitted by private email. As is the case with on-wiki harassment, off-wiki harassment can be grounds for blocking, and in extreme cases, banning. Off-wiki privacy violations shall be dealt with particularly severely.

Harassment of other Wikipedians through the use of external links is considered equivalent to the posting of personal attacks on Wikipedia.

Dealing with harassment
If you feel you are being harassed, first and foremost, act calmly (even if difficult). It is hard to over-emphasize this.

In serious cases or where privacy and off-wiki aspects are an issue (e.g., where private personal information is a part of the issue, or on-wiki issues spread to email and 'real world' harassment, or similar), you can contact the Arbitration Committee.

For simpler, on-wiki matters, such as a user with whom you have arguments, try conduct dispute resolution as the usual first step. It makes it easier to identify the problem you are having if there are some specific diffs. For more serious cases where you are willing to address it on-wiki, you may request administrative assistance. (Do not open a discussion about 'outing' on behalf of a third party without the victim's permission, unless the relevant page revisions have already been oversighted. It is important not to make violations of privacy more severe.)

Note: If there are concerns over your own editing, then you will quite likely gain attention from administrators and other concerned users as a result. Provided this is civil and addressed appropriately, and for valid purposes, it would not be considered 'harassment'.

Accusing others of harassment
Making accusations of harassment can be inflammatory and hence these accusations may not be helpful in a dispute. It can be seen as a personal attack if harassment is alleged without clear evidence that the others' action is actually harassment, and unfounded accusations may constitute harassment themselves if done repeatedly. The result is often accusations of harassment on your part, which tends to create a nasty cycle. At the same time, claims of harassment should be taken seriously and not be summarily dismissed unless it becomes clear the accusations are not well-founded.

Assistance for administrators being harassed
Wikipedia administrators' actions can bring them into direct conflict with difficult users and at times they too are harassed. Typically this happens when an administrator decides to intervene in a dispute with a view to warning or blocking disruptive parties or preventing their continual troublesome behavior.

Administrators are volunteer editors like any other user. They are not obligated any more than any other user to take any specific action beyond expected good conduct and responsiveness, and they are not required or expected to place themselves in an uncomfortable situation, to undertake actions which will diminish their enjoyment of working on Wikipedia or place themselves at risk in any way. Administrators who feel that they may have such a situation are advised to seek advice, discuss privately with other administrators, or pass the matter to another administrator willing to make difficult blocks.

Administrators who are confident they are safe from harassment, or willing to address difficult users and their potential actions, may wish to list themselves on the above page, and add the userbox template User difficultblocks to their user page, which also adds the user to Category:Wikipedia administrators willing to make difficult blocks


 * Or use:

In case of problems administrators have exactly the same right as any other user to decline or withdraw from a situation that is escalating or uncomfortable, without giving a reason, or to contact the Arbitration Committee or the volunteer response team if needed.

Reactions to harassment
Some people may find it hard to remain calm and to react constructively in the face of real or perceived harassment. It is important that any allegations of misconduct about someone who is being harassed be considered in this context. Suffering real or perceived harassment does not justify an editor's misconduct, but a more cautious approach to sanctions in such situations is preferred.