Training modules/Online harassment/Discussion hub

What counts as "actionable"?

Situation

User A contacts you to indicate that they feel unsafe because of the way User B has conducted himself in an on-wiki talk page dispute. In reviewing the talk page, you see some minimally aggressive discussion where User B is dismissive of User A's opinions and suggestions without giving a lot of explanation. Several edit summaries may be considered personal attacks, referring to User A's comments as "stupid" or "trolling," while User A's comments appear reasonable.

On deeper review, you find a long history of disagreements between User A and User B, including an incident the previous year where User B complained about personal attacks from User A to local administrators and it was recommended that User A avoid antagonizing User B. What further context could be useful to you in determining your appropriate response?

What if, all other circumstances being the same, User B had resorted to stronger language in the current confrontation? What if in your review you discovered that User A had been following User B's contributions?

Comments and opinions

Add your thoughts and opinions on what you might do in this situation on its talk page. This is a hypothetical situation, but think about what the ideal course of action is.

It might be a good idea to review the "Handling reports" module.

Training modules/Online harassment/Discussion hub/What counts as "actionable"?

I will acknowledge to User A the complaint that has come to my attention and then will go ahead and investigate the background of their discussions and also verify the accounts so that to certain the truth. Then I will give a tentative date of when I will get back to User A as a complainant.

I examine in detail the comments and this situation in the past year, and listen to both sides objectively and privately. The disagreement that occurred last year and the visible comments support User A's complaint. But to be fair, I would prefer to talk in detail about why user B behaves this way and what his/her problem is. In other cases, a more detailed and longer examination is required.I inform you that I will get back to you regarding the situation as soon as possible. And I try to ensure the safety of the complaining user.

I will contact User A, investigate the history of their discussion, report it to the appropriate department, and issue a warning. I will check the accounts of both users and keep them under surveillance for a while. This is a complex situation where context and nuance are critical in determining an appropriate, balanced, and fair response. Here’s how I’d approach it:

Step 1: Gather Additional Context

Before taking any action, I would seek more context to get a fuller picture of the situation, including:

Frequency and pattern of behavior: Is User B’s dismissiveness or use of hostile language part of a broader pattern with other users, or is it isolated to interactions with User A? Tone and escalation over time: How has the tone changed in recent interactions? Did one user attempt to de-escalate or maintain civility? Other community interactions: Do either user have a history of behavioral problems or conflicts with others outside of this dyad? Administrator records or warnings: Have there been prior sanctions or warnings for either user? Especially in terms of civility or harassment? Impact on community environment: Are other users being deterred from participating because of this dispute?

---

Evaluate the "Actionability"

“Actionable” here means whether the current situation merits formal intervention (such as admin action or policy enforcement) versus informal guidance or mediation.

If the language remains only minimally aggressive:

Possibly not actionable** in terms of sanctions, but:

 * Recommend civil conduct reminders to User B.
 * Offer support to User A, including resources or help mediating the dispute.
 * Suggest both users take a cool-off period or avoid each other for some time if a pattern is developing.

If User B escalated to stronger language:

Likely actionable, especially if comments violate civility or harassment policies (e.g., calling ideas “stupid” or “trolling” can be considered personal attacks).
I would consider:

 * Issuing a formal warning or engaging an administrator to do so.
 * Encouraging User B to refactor comments or apologize.
 * Placing temporary restrictions on User B if necessary to de-escalate the conflict.

If User A had been following User B's contributions:

This changes the context significantly. It might suggest harassment or wikistalking, especially if done with intent to provoke or criticize.
In this case, I would:

 * Reassess User A’s role more critically.
 * Consider that User B’s dismissive tone may have stemmed from perceived targeting.
 * Look at diffs and patterns to determine if action or a warning is also needed for User A

Final Steps

Document findings objectively and neutrally. Reach out privately if possible to each user, addressing concerns and expectations. Encourage dispute resolution options, like a third-party mediator. If a pattern of disruption continues, escalate to admin noticeboards or appropriate governing bodies.

Challenge question: closing a case that involves advanced user rights

Situation

Your team has just finished discussing how to handle a case where user:X was alleged to have harassed user:Z. You believe the evidence shows that user:X, who is also a Steward, has used their access to Z's private information to harass Z off-wiki. While your team believes that banning X from your project is an appropriate action, you are also concerned about X's continued access to private information through their Steward user right. As a local project team, however, you have no ability to revoke the Steward user right. In fact, the only body with that power appears to be either the other Stewards, or the Wikimedia Foundation's Trust and Safety team.

Comments and opinions

Add your thoughts and opinions on what you might do in this situation on its talk page. This is a hypothetical situation, but think about what the ideal course of action is.

It might be a good idea to review the "Closing cases" module.

Training modules/Online harassment/Discussion hub/Challenge question: closing a case that involves advanced user rights After consulting i will take the on-wiki action your team has deemed fit. I will place a block or ban on a user Z, first, before notifying the sanctioned userZ. After this i then inform userZ why a sanction has been placed on them. then i will notify User X. Of course i will be factual and non-judgmental.

I will also contact a steward or bureaucrat to request removal of those rights.

I will notify the necessary authorities that the rules should be reviewed and inform Steward about taking the necessary measures to protect user rights. I talk to the Wikimedia Foundation's security team about what can be done.

In this situation, the first priority is to act within the scope of authority available to the local project team. Given that the team has concluded user X harassed user Z and misused their Steward access to private information, it is appropriate to implement a local ban on user\:X. This action should be taken decisively, with a clear, factual explanation that the ban is based on a serious breach of trust and abuse of access, particularly in the form of off-wiki harassment. The documentation of the decision should be thorough, transparent, and focused on the evidence rather than speculation, to maintain credibility and community trust.

However, because the local team lacks the authority to revoke Steward rights, it is critical to escalate the matter to the appropriate bodies. This would involve submitting a detailed and well-evidenced report to the Wikimedia Foundation’s Trust and Safety team, and potentially notifying the global community of Stewards, depending on the established process for oversight. The report should include all relevant evidence, including the findings that led to the conclusion of harassment and the misuse of private information. Emphasis should be placed on the risk to user safety and the integrity of the Steward role, which depends on responsible use of sensitive data. While the local ban addresses the immediate concern within your project, pursuing revocation of advanced rights ensures that broader risks to the Wikimedia movement are addressed. Throughout the process, it is also important to offer support to the affected user\:Z, maintaining confidentiality where necessary and signaling that the community takes such issues seriously.

Closing a non-actionable case

Situation

Your team has just finished discussing a case where you were unable to agree on whether the evidence proved that user:B is the person who conducted a harassment campaign against user:A, with some team members being convinced and others remaining skeptical. Deadlocked as a group, you are therefore are taking no action. You are in charge of notifying the involved parties that the case has been closed with no action, and you write to user:A to explain that while you understand their concerns, your team will not be able to take action against user:B. You suggest a few support organizations that may be able to help user:A cope with the situation.

User:A replies to your notification to express their disagreement with the conclusion of the case and make the following points:

Asking you to give specifics about what evidence your team did not believe
Suggesting that since the majority of your team is not part of the marginalized group A is part of, your team may have had a flawed perspective on the evidence

User:A asks that, particularly in light of point 2, your team either reconsider the evidence or pass the case to another, more qualified team to evaluate. They add that if your team is unable to handle situations like theirs, they may be forced to apply pressure via public comment.

Comments and opinions

Add your thoughts and opinions on what you might do in this situation on its talk page. This is a hypothetical situation, but think about what the ideal course of action is.

It might be a good idea to review the "Closing cases" module.

Training modules/Online harassment/Discussion hub/Closing a non-actionable case

Answering questions about a case

Situation

After an on-wiki dispute with user:A that escalates, user:B is blocked from Wikipedia for a month. During that period, user:B creates an account on Anti-Wikipedia, a wiki where users who have left Wikipedia for various reasons create satirical content about Wikipedia and its users. B uses their new Anti-Wikipedia account to create an article there about user:A, in which they post information supposedly about A, including a photo, a home address, and the names of A's children and the school they attend. The article encourages readers to call A's home "for a good time."

Shortly before B's month-long block expires, A is made aware of the Anti-Wikipedia article about them. They contact your team to ask for help, noting that B does not seem to have let go of their disagreement and saying that they, A, are now concerned for the safety of themselves and their children. Since B has been open both on Wikipedia and on Anti-Wikipedia about owning both of those accounts, there is little question that the Anti-Wikipedia page was created by B. B rejects a private request from your team that they stop publicly posting information about A.

Your team determines that this behavior is enough of a threat to community safety that B should no longer be allowed to edit Wikipedia. You place a ban on B and post the following statement on your project's administrative noticeboard: "For engaging in conduct that violates Wikipedia's Harassment Policy, user:B is banned from Wikipedia. They may appeal privately to [your team name]".

Community members subsequently begin to ask questions about your team's justification for this action, noting that user:B has not edited Wikipedia, even on their talk page, for more than a month, and that B has no block log or sanction history involving harassment. Some of the community members asking these questions appear to believe your team may have exaggerated or misinterpreted whatever behavior you banned B for, since you aren't willing to describe it.

Your team knows you need to post a reply to these questions, but you are concerned about how you can justify this action to the community without releasing information that can be used to identify one or more of the target, the venue for the harassment, or the content of the harassment.

Comments and opinions

Add your thoughts and opinions on what you might do in this situation on its talk page. This is a hypothetical situation, but think about what the ideal course of action is.

It might be a good idea to review the "Closing cases" module.

Training modules/Online harassment/Discussion hub/Answering questions about a case

In this situation, I would craft a carefully worded public response that acknowledges the community’s interest in transparency while emphasizing the team’s responsibility to protect the safety and privacy of individuals involved; I would state that the ban was based on serious off-wiki behavior that posed a credible threat to another user, that the evidence clearly established the user’s identity and intent, and that while we understand concerns about precedent, the team cannot disclose specific details without risking further harm or doxxing; I would also reaffirm that the banned user retains the right to appeal privately, and assure the community that the decision was made with careful consideration, consistent with Wikipedia’s commitment to user safety.