[WikiEN-l] WR's secret forum and list

[Risker]

On Dec 10, 2007 10:55 PM, jayjg <jayjg99 at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Dec 10, 2007 10:43 PM, Risker <risker.wp at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > On Dec 10, 2007 10:17 PM, jayjg <jayjg99 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > On Dec 10, 2007 9:55 PM, Risker <risker.wp at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Perhaps one additional lesson might be added, too - harassment and
> > > > cyberstalking are real and it is probably time that we as a
> community
> > > look
> > > > at ways to provide some form of structured support and assistance in
> > > > reporting this behaviour internallly and to appropriate authorities.
> > > >
> > > > Risker
> > >
> > > I have an idea; why not create an environment where people who have
> > > suffered from this cyberstalking or wish to help could discuss their
> > > issues in a safe and private way, and try to formulate coping
> > > strategies. Perhaps Wikia would be kind enough to host it, and someone
> > > who has suffered from this more than most could act as a moderator. We
> > > could call the list, oh, I don't know, something like
> > > "WpCyberstalking".
> >
> > One of the harms of online groups like this does more to closet the
> victims
> > and withdraw them from the support of the entire community. It really
> does
> > need some professional guidance.  And given that it has, to now, been
> > invitation-only, victims have never known that there was someplace to
> turn
> > to.
>
> Much of Wikipedia's (particularly wikien-l's) public response to this
> kind of cyberstalking has consisted of
> a) disbelief and mockery (the word "rutabaga" comes to mind)
> b) suggestions that the victims are to blame for being cyberstalked
> c) suggestions that the victims should leave Wikipedia for the good of
> Wikipedia.
>
> Given that kind of environment, it's rather unsurprising the victims
> have looked for something more private and supportive.
>


You make some valid points, Jayjg. To some extent, it can be likened to how
Western society treated spouse abuse for a long time - the victim "deserved"
it. Having experienced cyberstalking myself as a result of my involvement
with Wikipedia (and given that I am not exactly editing a lot of highly
contentious articles, it came as a surprise), I relied on my years of
internet and life experience to involve police immediately.  We signed off
releases for them to access my email account data to track the IP, and also
one for WMF (I don't know if it was ever executed, as I was able to provide
them with the RL name of the person I suspected, and it turns out I was
right).

I do believe that we can change the support provided to victims without
adversely affecting the project to which we all came.  Some of that support
may be difficult to swallow - yes, people do need to be aware that there are
"real world" trip wires associated with certain subjects or behaviours - but
some of it can be very practical and relatively simple.

Risker

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