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Safeguarding

One responsibility as a runner you do take on besides just being a cool person who made something is looking out for others.

1. Harassment & Abuse Management​

If someone in your group is behaving in a way that violates our Community Guidelines (e.g., harassing others, using hate speech, or making people uncomfortable):

  • Act Promptly: Warn, mute, or ban offending members from your external platforms (WhatsApp, Discord, real-world events, etc.).
  • Document Incidents: Keep screenshots or notes of incidents in case further moderation or legal action is required.
  • Runner Accountability: If a community listed on Hexlink repeatedly fails to address reported harassment or dangerous behavior, we reserve the right to remove your community listing from the map and suspend your account.

2. Managing Underage Members (18+ Policy)​

Hexlink is strictly an 18+ platform. If you discover that someone in your community is under 18:

  • Remove Them From the Group: Politely explain that your group is strictly 18+ and remove them from your chat spaces or events.
  • Do Not Hold Private Conversations: If you need to communicate their removal, keep it brief and formal, or inform them publicly in the group before removing them.
  • Child Safety Hazards: If an underage person discloses abuse, exploitation, or illegal activity involving adults in your group, preserve evidence (screenshots) and report it to local law enforcement or the appropriate child protection authorities immediately.

3. Handling Self-Harm & Mental Health Crises​

If a member mentions self-harm, expresses suicidal thoughts, or appears to be in an immediate acute crisis (online or at an in-person event):

Emergency / Immediate Danger​

  • If in immediate physical danger: Call local emergency services (e.g., 999 in the UK, 911 in the US/Canada, 112 in Europe). If at an in-person event, stay with the person until help arrives if safe to do so.

Online Disclosures or Distress​

  1. Stay Calm & Direct: Do not promise absolute secrecy, but respond with care and without judgment.
  2. Provide Crisis Helpline Resources: Direct them to free, confidential crisis support services immediately.
    • UK:
      • Samaritans: Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
      • Shout Crisis Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258
    • US & Canada: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
    • International: Direct them to findahelpline.com
  3. Set Boundaries: As a community runner, you are a facilitator, not a trained therapist or emergency service. Do not attempt to counsel someone through a major crisis alone—guide them toward professional help.
  4. Remove Triggering Public Content: If someone posts graphic details or methods of self-harm in public chats, remove the messages gently to protect other members, and reach out to the individual privately with crisis helpline contacts.

4. Media & Photo Consent​

When organizing in-person events or running online spaces:

  • Obtain Consent: Always ask for explicit consent before taking photos or recording videos of members, especially before posting them publicly on social media.
  • Respect Opt-Outs: Give attendees a simple way to opt out of media capture (e.g., letting people know before taking group photos so anyone can step out).
  • Remove Upon Request: If a member asks for a photo featuring them to be removed from your community channels, honor that request promptly.