The similarities in tone and attitude between a user placed on moderation and a newly registered user was brought to my attention as was their misuse of the forums.
Following an investigation, it became apparent the same internet connection (IP address) was used by two different users.
This is a serious breach of our code of conduct and as a result, Breast Cancer Care have taken the decision to ban both users.
I would like to remind you that our code of conduct states:
You agree that you will be polite to other forum members, you will not swear and you will be respectful of other members’ opinions.
Breast Cancer Care aims to ensure that all its users have a safe environment in which to share advice with and support each other.
Thank goodness for that, it was obvious to most on here what was happening. Infact alot of people brought it up on the thread posted by dear Lolly. Lets hope things can return to the nice supportive place it was when I first joined last March and that they don’t come back a third time and disrupt the forums
I am glad to see this action has been taken. But it leaves a bad taste that there were those prepared to aide & abet her in her lies and deceit, I suspect in the full knowledge of what was going on. I would ask why it took all that time to ascertain that the IPs were indeed the same, and that members were subjected to yet more unpleasantness at the hands of a few who seem determined to ruin the atmosphere of care and support that should exist on these forums. May I put in a plea here for prompter action on the part of Moderators when the sort of thread we have seen proliferating on these boards of late start to kick off. You have the powers of moderation please use them. It seems that some posters push the rules of posting and ToS to the limit before any action is taken.
I do agree with you Dawn, in that there were members of the forum who were prepared to aide and abet what was going on, knowing full well the distress and anxiety it was causing other members. I know quite a few people who rarely post on here now due to the antics above.
I use the forums a lot and am usually aware when strange stuff is going on as it inevitably does from time to time but this time had no idea. So I reckon this misue must have been dealt with swiftly and well…thanks moderators…it can’t be easy.
Jane I only stumbled upon it by accident. I think that you, like me choose to block chit chat and fun which is where some of the threads were.
I’ve been using this forum for over 2 years and whilst there has been the odd incident I’ve been dismayed that the venom, bad language and bullying behaviour of some users has been allowed to continue for so long.
Yes thank you moderators for dealing this, though I do agree with Dawn that it could maybe have been a little quicker given the fact that I think you were prompted.
It is so important to ensure that people don’t mistake deliberate mischief by trolls as purely differences in opinion (which is what they hide behind). I do think that some people are too new to the concept that anyone could be insane enough to want simply to cause trouble and are not here to give or receive genuine support (it did take me a while to realise that such people existed). I do think that in order to educate people in how these people operate and to ensure that the innocent don’t get suspected, that it would be useful to indicate against the banned user ids that their posts are not from a genuine source. Or indeed name and shame them on this thread.
I would also like to add my thanks for stepping into something which had turned nasty and vicious, I know many people were upset and offended by the tone of the thread concerned.
The sad thing is that this thread was started off by someone who had genuine problems with regards to a delicate and potentially embarrassing area, i.e. a sore botty. It is a pity that it was then taken over by someone who wanted to make fun of another person.
I really hope it does not put anyone off posting things that are important tho them just in case the it is made into a laughing stock to meet with another persons enjoyment.
Even the alias name that this person gave herself was her idea of poking fun at someone, surely she cant think it would not have been sussed,
amen to that! thankgoodness this has been stopped i was so worried for the person who had been targetted as she has a lot on her plate at the moment and really needs support not bullying .thankyou moderator for actually doing something about this albeit rather late, for i feel the damage has been done re the forums ,as a lot of people will now be reluctant to post .i myself have been a user on these forums for over 2 yrs now and was horrified by the venom posted on this thread, when we are all here to support and to care for each other and respect is vital .just wish to reasure the person toargetted that she has my support in whatever the outcome of her tests etc .love and care to all users
lynn xx
Just seen this thread and think it’s awfull, most people who come to this site come for love, comfort and hope from others, it’s despicable that some minority come to ridicule and hurt, what kind of monsters are they, small minded and bullies, take heart everyone as they are in a very small minority.
Love and heartfelt thanks to all who use this site, they have kept me sane in an insane period of my life, long may it last.
Banning someone from a Breast Cancer Care service is extremely rare and not a decision that can be taken lightly.
I took this decision within 48 hours of the issue being reported but I appreciate it may have felt like a long time for those directly affected.