Community Standards

Effective Date: [INSERT DATE]
Last Updated: [INSERT DATE]

Paddy exists to create a supportive community where people can help each other during menstrual emergencies. These Community Standards outline the behavior we expect from all users to maintain a safe, respectful, and helpful environment.

✅ We Encourage:

• Supportive Language: Kind, encouraging, and helpful communication
• Clear Coordination: Specific details about meetup locations and timing
• Gratitude Expression: Thanking helpers and acknowledging kindness
• Constructive Feedback: Respectful suggestions for improving the community

❌ Not Allowed:

• Menstrual Shaming: Mocking, shaming, or stigmatizing menstruation
• Body Shaming: Comments about appearance, weight, or physical characteristics
• Discriminatory Language: Slurs, hate speech, or discriminatory comments
• Harassment: Repeated unwanted contact or inappropriate messages
• Sexual Content: Sexual advances, explicit content, or inappropriate flirtation

✅ Safe Meetup Practices:

Public Locations Only: Meet in well-lit, public places with other people around

❌ Unsafe Locations:

• Private residences or apartments
• Isolated areas (parking lots, empty buildings)
• Personal vehicles
• Late night locations (after 10 PM)

🚨 Safety Guidelines:

• Trust Your Instincts: Cancel any meetup that feels unsafe
• Bring a Friend: Consider bringing someone with you if possible
• Share Location: Tell someone where you're going and when you'll return
• Quick Exchange: Keep meetups brief and focused on the supply exchange
• Emergency Preparedness: Know how to contact local emergency services

✅ Acceptable Content:

• Supply Requests: Clear descriptions of needed menstrual products
• Coordination Messages: Logistics for meetups and exchanges
• Gratitude Posts: Thank you messages and positive feedback
• Educational Information: Factual health information from credible sources

❌ Prohibited Content:

• Medical Advice: Diagnosing conditions or providing medical recommendations
• Graphic Images: Explicit photos of blood, products, or body parts
• Commercial Spam: Advertising unrelated products or services
• Personal Information: Sharing private details like addresses, phone numbers, or financial information
• Off-Topic Content: Content unrelated to menstrual supply sharing

Zero Tolerance for:

• Persistent Contact: Continuing to message someone who hasn't responded or has asked you to stop
• Stalking Behavior: Following someone's location or repeatedly requesting their personal information
• Intimidation: Threats, aggressive language, or attempts to frighten other users
• Doxxing: Sharing someone's private information without consent
• Revenge Actions: Retaliating against users who report violations or decline requests

If You Experience Harassment:

1. Block the User: Use the in-app blocking feature immediately
2. Report the Behavior: File a report through the app with specific details
3. Document Evidence: Save screenshots or messages as evidence
4. Contact Support: Reach out to our team for additional help
5. Emergency Situations: Contact local authorities if you feel physically threatened

Respecting Privacy:

• Location Sharing: Only share location during active supply exchanges
• Photo Sharing: Get consent before sharing photos that include other people
• Personal Information: Don't pressure others to share private details
• Screenshot Policy: Ask permission before taking screenshots of conversations

Consent Guidelines:

• Voluntary Participation: All exchanges must be completely voluntary
• Right to Decline: Anyone can decline a request for any reason
• No Pressure: Don't guilt trip or pressure others to help
• Respect Boundaries: Honor when someone says no or asks you to stop

✅ Appropriate Health Sharing:

• General menstrual health education from reputable sources
• Personal experiences shared respectfully
• Resources for professional medical care

❌ Medical Misinformation:

• Unqualified Advice: Don't diagnose conditions or recommend treatments
• Dangerous Practices: Don't suggest unsafe or unsterile practices
• False Claims: Don't spread misinformation about menstrual products or health
• Alternative Medicine: Don't promote unproven treatments as cures

✅ Genuine Participation:

• Real Needs: Only request supplies when you genuinely need them
• Available Help: Only offer to help when you actually have supplies available
• Honest Communication: Be truthful about your location, availability, and situation

❌ Platform Misuse:

• Fake Requests: Creating false emergency requests
• Commercial Exploitation: Using the platform to sell products or services
• Account Manipulation: Creating multiple accounts or impersonating others
• Gaming the System: Attempting to exploit matching algorithms or safety features
• Data Harvesting: Collecting user information for unauthorized purposes

How to Report Violations:

In-App Reporting:

1. Report Button: Use the report feature on user profiles or messages
2. Specific Details: Provide clear information about the violation
3. Evidence: Include screenshots or message details when possible
4. Follow-Up: Our team will investigate within 24 hours

Direct Contact:

• Email: [TODO: Add safety report email]
• Safety Hotline: [TODO: Add safety phone number]
• Emergency: Call 911 for immediate physical threats

Our Response Process:

1. 24-Hour Review: All reports reviewed within 24 hours
2. Investigation: Thorough review of reported content and behavior
3. Action Taken: Appropriate consequences based on violation severity
4. Follow-Up: Reporter notified of actions taken (when appropriate)

Warning System:

• First Offense: Warning and education about community standards
• Second Offense: Temporary suspension (24-48 hours)
• Third Offense: Extended suspension (1-7 days)
• Severe/Repeat Violations: Permanent account termination

Appeals Process:

• Appeal Timeline: 30 days from date of action
• Appeal Method: Email [TODO: Add appeals email] with detailed explanation
• Review Process: Independent review by different team members
• Final Decision: Appeals decision is final

Positive Community Building:

• Welcome New Users: Help newcomers understand how the app works
• Share Success Stories: Celebrate successful exchanges and community support
• Provide Feedback: Suggest improvements to make the platform better
• Mentor Others: Guide other users in safe practices

Campus-Specific Considerations:

• Campus Safety: Follow your university's safety guidelines
• Residence Halls: Check dorm policies about visitors
• Campus Police: Know how to contact campus security
• Health Centers: Utilize campus health resources when needed

Student Responsibilities:

• Academic Focus: Don't let app use interfere with studies
• Respectful Behavior: Maintain standards that reflect well on your institution
• Emergency Protocols: Follow campus emergency procedures

Community Input:

• Feedback Welcome: We value community input on these standards
• Regular Reviews: Standards updated based on community needs and safety data
• Transparency: Changes communicated clearly to all users

Notification of Changes:

• In-App Notifications: Prominent alerts about standard updates
• Email Updates: Notifications to registered users about significant changes
• Community Forum: Discussion space for feedback on proposed changes

Community Standards Team:

• General Questions: [TODO: Add community standards email]
• Safety Reports: [TODO: Add safety email]
• Appeals: [TODO: Add appeals email]
• Partnership Inquiries: [TODO: Add partnerships email]

Response Times:

• Safety Reports: Within 2 hours during business hours (7 AM - 9:30 PM local time)
• General Inquiries: Within 24 hours
• Appeals: Within 5 business days

Last updated: [INSERT DATE]
Questions? Contact us at [TODO: Add contact email]