Creating a Community Safety Checklist

Safety is easier to protect when a community thinks about it before an incident happens. A checklist cannot solve every problem, but it can reveal gaps and make important responsibilities visible.

Begin with privacy. Review what information is collected, who can access it, how long it is kept, and how members can request help with personal concerns.

Check reporting routes. Members should know how to report harassment, threats, spam, or unsafe behavior. Make the route easy to find and explain what happens after a report is submitted.

Review moderator access and responsibilities. People with administrative tools should understand what they can see, what they should document, and when they need support from another person.

Consider accessibility and language. Safety information is not useful if members cannot understand it or navigate to it. Provide clear wording, visible links, and alternative formats where needed.

Prepare for common disruptions. Know how to communicate if a platform is unavailable, an important resource changes, or a key organizer is suddenly absent.

Update the checklist regularly. A community’s tools and risks change over time. Regular review turns safety from a one-time project into an ongoing practice.