Harassment, Hate Speech & Personal Attacks are nothing new to [steemit.com.](https://steemit.com) I've received a few personal attacks mostly on [steemit.chat](https:/steemit.chat) myself. 

The question is how do we deal with them? Like anything else in the community we need **_level headed_** volunteers to help in [#steemitabuse.](https://steemit.chat/channel/steemitabuse) 
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<center>![aggression-657087_640.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUXun5mULitwikmnK4d2PCSssVV9TF5irrXXotojSrFks/aggression-657087_640.jpg)
 [image by johnhain](https://pixabay.com/en/aggression-hatred-meanness-violent-657087/)</center>

##### My thoughts on Volunteering
Volunteers of all SP weights are welcome to help flag & mediate. The emphasis is on deescalating the situation where possible with advice, making comments, and flagging comments/posts that step way out of bounds, e.g. threats of personal violence, threats of doxing, threats of terrorism, etc. Volunteers also shouldn't get involved in *minor* disagreements as it sends the wrong message to the community. Even if we had enough willing volunteers we couldn't mediate all the disagreements brought to the channel. 

Those who flag others posts and comments because they disagree with someones views should be aware that the person they flag may retaliate. The only time volunteers should step in is if the situation looks like it will lead to personal attacks or a flag war. 

This is a community issue for volunteers. I don't believe that forming an official group in this situation would be a solution that we should be seeking. A formal group would be open to attack and drama that would detract from the goals of trying to make [steemit.com](https://steemit.com) a safe and comfortable place to share opinion. 

##### When & What to Report

Harassment: When unprovoked comments have been made on your posts or in reply to your comments. If you have engaged in a personal disagreement **after** you have tried to deescalate the situation and the other person just won't let it go. 

Hate Speech: Where ever you see it. Please don't report users for saying "I hate it when `insert group` does this", "I don't think `insert group` should", or even "I hate whales." There needs to be malice intended.

Personal Attacks: Unprovoked threats made toward anyone. Personal disputes that devolve into threats. 

[On steemit.chat:](https://steemit.chat) Mute the person direct messaging you. If this this happens in a channel contact the channel moderator(s). If you don't know who they are report it in [#steemitabuse.](https://steemit.chat/channel/steemitabuse) 

**Do not report** personal disputes! Someone who is arguing with you over whether or not the sky is blue does not constitute abuse!


##### Personal Disputes
Find yourself in a heated discussion or a flag war? Step back a moment and come back with a cooler head in an attempt to deescalate the situation.
* Ask for replies or comments on your post to be edited and offer to edit yours.  
* Suggest both of parties remove flags.
* Agree to disagree on the subject. 
* "Mute" the person and move on. 

Difference of opinions over controversial subjects can lead to tempers getting heated and devolve into personal attacks and flag wars. Think about this the next time you read a post telling the community that in all seriousness and what they believe is plausible evidence that the sky is **_green_**. While you may disagree there is no reason to harass the person or make it personal.

### @steemcleaners Chat

Seems [steemit.chat] is on the fritz for me right now. Thought it might be a good time tell everyone that doesn't already know that @steemcleaners has a [Discord Account](https://discord.gg/b9bEYZ)