Cross-Party Joint Statement on Harassment

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

This statement has been approved by the leaders of both the ¡Avant! Coalition and the Progressive Alliance.

When antisocial behaviour is tolerated, the victims of antisocial behavior are effectively excluded. If our patriotic goal is a large and vibrant Talossa, behaviour which drives other people out of participation (or out of citizenship) is unpatriotic. This goes for all forms of harassment, sexually-tinged or otherwise.

Creating a hostile environment in Talossa, where not only the target of the behaviour but others watching it feel icky and alienated, must be sanctioned. The threshold for criminal harassment (El Lexhatx A.7.1.2) is high and should remain high. However, there must be a ladder of escalation. There should be informal, or social, sanctions for such behaviour before it escalates to the criminal level. This is a call for serious enforcement of Wittiquette rule 8: "Don't be a troll or otherwise post in a way that is intended solely to annoy people or infuriate them." (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=125.0)

In previous years, effective moderation of Wittenberg was hampered when the targets of moderation made a claim to either "free speech" or "political bias". In a country like Talossa, where more than half the active population are political figures, it is far too easy to politicise basic requests for human decency. This is why a cross-party political agreement of forces representing a supermajority of Talossans is necessary so that this does not happen again.

Therefore:

1) we support strong moderation of Wittenberg to enforce Wittiquette Rule 8 when it comes to sexual harassment, even when it doesn't rise to a criminal level; we have confidence in the Chancery and its appointed agents to do so fairly, and we will back their decisions.

2) we pledge non-cooperation with and informal boycotts of serial harassers whose behaviour does not (yet) rise to the level of criminal activity; to end when such offenders convincingly change their ways.

3) we will likewise support similar measures following such behaviour on the part of any signatories of this declaration, or any members of their parties or their allies.

4) we will open a broader debate on how to deal with trolling, cruelty, and creating a toxic environment in Talossa.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

@Sir Lüc , the Progs and Avant would like to have a place to discuss this issue, solicit input from others, and work on potential legislation or rules. Would you please create a board within the Lobby for this purpose, titled, "Summit on Toxicity and Destructiveness?"

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

The Green Party supports this effort. We look forward to helping define the terms to be used in rendering these judgments and will be sure to advocate for, if not already in existence, an ability to appeal any determinations made by the Chancery or their designees so that our cherished rights under the Covenants are protected.

This was a part of the Avant campaign and while you did not achieve the majority you wished for, you have our meager 27 votes.

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

It was for you, of course. You did campaign on this issue. And the Green Party supports the effort to put you and others with concerns on this issue at ease. Surely we will address the hostility coming from all sides as you mentioned in your eloquent first election address.

Who could oppose an effort to define and discourage harassment especially of sexual kind?

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

Breneir, just so it's clear to onlookers: this is a joint Avant-Prog effort that was prompted by your sexual harassment of another citizen.  While your behavior never rose to a criminal level, it was shocking enough that we all feel like something needed to be done to prevent further recurrence.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

Breneir, just so it's clear to onlookers: this is a joint Avant-Prog effort that was prompted by your sexual harassment of another citizen.  While your behavior never rose to a criminal level, it was shocking enough that we all feel like something needed to be done to prevent further recurrence.

That is your story, yes, as told in an election campaign. I think everyone is aware of that story. As we get to the truth, however, the Green Party looks forward to assisting with this project so that we define what harassment, for the purpose of sanctioning someone, really is. Under your current apparent definition you're not quite there as you admit.

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

That is your story, yes, as told in an election campaign.

From the statement: "In a country like Talossa, where more than half the active population are political figures, it is far too easy to politicise basic requests for human decency."

I'm also reminded of a scene from Roddy Doyle's novel _The Van_, where a father confronts his daughters after having caught them in a terrible act:

"You've got no proof!"
"But I saw you."
"You've got no witnesses."
"... but I *saw* you!"

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

That is your story, yes, as told in an election campaign.

From the statement: "In a country like Talossa, where more than half the active population are political figures, it is far too easy to politicise basic requests for human decency."

I'm also reminded of a scene from Roddy Doyle's novel _The Van_, where a father confronts his daughters after having caught them in a terrible act:

"You've got no proof!"
"But I saw you."
"You've got no witnesses."
"... but I *saw* you!"

We look forward to working with you on this issue, Miestra. The theatrics are enjoyable and amusing but we will be ready when you are to move past them.