Posted by Larry Hoover on March 2, 2006, at 12:39:06
In reply to I had to ask the same question... » asmita, posted by pseudoname on March 1, 2006, at 10:18:55
> ...a few years ago.
>
> I was told that some topics (like descriptions of abuse, assault, self-mutilation, horrific events, etc) can trigger uncomfortable, disruptive memories, feelings, and desires (like self-mutilation) in some people. "Trigger" in the subject line is a warning to them.
>
> Maybe this could be added to the FAQs?This subject is so important to me, that I am almost speechless about it. I very much want to have some safety rules drafted, so that people like me can feel safe. As Babble is now, I am not safe.
For me, an ideal protection would be afforded by an outright ban of any mention of self-harm, or descriptions of assaults by others. My emotions can be so triggered into massive horrid pain and fear and.....
Words have meanings, and some strings of words are provocative and stimulating in ways that are most unpleasant and most unwelcome.
That is what is like, for me. If only I had a choice whether I might stumble across those evocative words. That's the problem I have, being here, as it is now.
Another site simply declares that any such posts are unwelcome, and if they do get posted anyway, they simply disappear....
That is a black and white solution to my problem. But, it doesn't address the fact that others need the forum to do just that. It seems that self-injury is an acceptable topic here, so I must consider a compromise solution. We can't and won't ban them outright, so....
...an alternative measure that improves the protection I seek, but which still addresses the needs of others, is to create a dedicated board for self injury. Failure to segregate such posts to that board, to be a blockable offense. Hmmm. Pretty unwieldy, right? Various threads move in different directions, sometimes simultaneously. It could come up anywhere. I think this solution is still not workable, so....
....I come to what I think is a workable solution, that affords protections not previously offered to me....a requirement that any post that deals with self-injury, suicidal ideation, or graphic portrayals of assault (list of trigger subjects certainly subject to debate) be required to carry an explicit subject line banner of some sort (TRIGGER seems to be a candidate, as does Bob's idea of a flag), and some context about the theme of the conversation, so that I can protect myself.
As it is now, Babble is a minefield. Each step I take, each post I open, could blow up on me. I can't help it. I have PTSD. I have a vivid imagination, and words can and do make me cringe, cry, scream, run, yell, ruin my day.
I've been evolving with Babble, as Babble evolves around me. And I've come to the conclusion that I need protection, or I must leave Babble. I care too much about the lives and feelings of other people, that I can't risk many more exposures to these triggers. I just can't.
I want formal protection. I want it in the FAQ.
I want to know beforehand that something might ring my bell. I don't want to open another bomb.
Please, please make Babble safe for me.Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:614568
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20060225/msgs/614979.html