Safety Resources: A Guide for Third Parties

What are VRChat’s rules?

VRChat’s rules are established through three primary documents.

1. VRChat Terms of Service

   The VRChat Terms of Service are the legal, binding Terms that players must agree to abide by when logging into VRChat for the first time.

   All of our rules and guidelines are based on these Terms. They are written using legal terminology and are similar to the Terms established by other applications, platforms, and games.

   In particular, Section 13.2 on Prohibited Conduct covers our expectations of conduct when using the platform.

2. Community Guidelines

   The VRChat Community Guidelines are a natural-language interpretation of the Terms of Service. The Guidelines establish contextual rules and expectations that are easier to understand than the Terms of Service.

   The Guidelines start with a review of our core rules: No hate, no harm, and keep private things private. Beyond that, it goes into some specifics, such as behavior expectations on the platform and guidance for players.

   Regardless of the Guidelines, the Terms remain the “final word” of rules on VRChat.

3. Creator Guidelines

   The VRChat Creator Guidelines provide additional rules for players who create content in VRChat (worlds, avatars) or use VRChat to create other content (like videos or streaming). 

   Like the Community Guidelines, the Creator Guidelines are written with natural language and interpret the Terms of Service. The Terms are the “final word” of rules for content creation.

What is a Third Party?

In the context of VRChat, a "third party" refers to someone who is not directly involved in a specific player-to-player interaction but is present in the same virtual space. As a third party, you might witness conversations, actions, or behaviors between other players that do not directly involve you.

Being a third party in VRChat gives you a unique perspective. Like in the real world, you can observe interactions objectively and step in if you notice anything inappropriate, suspicious, or harmful. Your role as a third party is important because it helps maintain a safe and positive environment for everyone in VRChat. Whether it's offering support to someone who feels uncomfortable or reporting behavior that violates the Community Guidelines or our Terms of Service, your actions as a third party can make a big difference.

Why Intervene or Report?

Intervening or reporting suspicious behavior in VRChat is crucial for maintaining a safe and positive environment. As a third party, you play a vital role in identifying and addressing issues that might go unnoticed. This can include:

• Inappropriate Content:
  Content that is offensive, explicit, or otherwise unsuitable for younger audiences.
• Harassment or Bullying:
  Any form of targeted behavior that makes another player feel uncomfortable or threatened.
• Suspicious Behavior:
  Activities that may indicate someone is at risk, such as attempts to solicit personal information or engage in inappropriate conversations with minors.

How to Intervene Safely

If you witness behavior that seems inappropriate or suspicious, here are some steps you can take to intervene safely:

Assess the Situation

• Observe First:
  Before taking action, make sure you understand what is happening. Sometimes, what seems suspicious may have an innocent explanation.
• Stay Calm:
  Approach the situation calmly and avoid escalating tensions. If possible, try to de-escalate any conflicts you observe.

Provide Support

• Reach Out:
  If someone seems uncomfortable or is being harassed, offer them support. A simple message like "Are you okay? Do you need my help?" can make a big difference.
• Encourage Safe Behavior:
  Gently remind other players of VRChat's guidelines if you see someone crossing the line. For example, you might say, "Please don’t behave like that here" or "Please don't share personal information here."

Know When to Step Back

• Avoid Confrontation:
  If the situation becomes heated or if you feel unsafe, it’s better to step back. You can still help by reporting the behavior to VRChat’s moderation team.
• Create a Safe Space:
  If you can, create a private instance and invite the person being targeted to join you. This can help remove them from the harmful situation.

How to Report Suspicious Behavior

When you come across behavior that violates VRChat’s guidelines or makes you concerned for someone’s safety, it’s important to report it. Here’s how you can do that:

Use VRChat’s In-App Reporting

1. Access the Player’s Profile:
   Click on the avatar of the person you want to report. This will bring up their profile.
2. Select Report User:
   From their profile, select the "Report User" option. You’ll be asked to provide details about the incident. Be as specific as possible.
3. Choose a Reason:
   Select the appropriate reason for your report from the provided options. This could include harassment, inappropriate content, or other violations.
4. Submit the Report:
   Once you’ve provided the necessary information, submit your report. The VRChat moderation team will review it and take action if necessary.

Use the Ticketing System

1. Submit a Ticket:
   If you’re unable to report in-app, you can submit a report through VRChat’s ticketing system. Visit VRChat Support and provide all relevant details. In certain cases, it can be more beneficial to submit a ticket than an in-app report, especially if you need to include more information and context.
2. Include Evidence:
   Include any evidence such as screenshots, recordings, or chat logs. This helps the moderation team assess the situation more effectively.

Follow Up

• Check for Updates:
  After submitting a report, you can check for updates through the ticketing system. If you provided an email address, you might receive notifications about the status of your report.
• Report Again if Necessary:
  If the behavior continues or if you feel the issue hasn’t been resolved, don’t hesitate to report it again. Persistent issues may require multiple reports.

How to Support Victims of Harassment or Bullying

If you encounter someone who has been harassed or bullied, here’s how you can support them:

• Listen and Validate:
  Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is listen. Let the person know that you believe them and that what they’re experiencing is not okay.
• Encourage Them to Report:
  If they haven’t already, encourage the victim to report the incident. Offer to help them with the process if they’re unsure how to do it.
• Direct Them to Resources:
  VRChat provides resources and support for players who have been affected by harassment. Point them to the VRChat Moderation page for more information.

When to Contact Authorities

While VRChat is a space for social interaction and creativity, there may be rare situations where you encounter someone in distress, such as a physical or mental health crisis or another form of danger that goes beyond what can be addressed within the platform. In these extreme cases, it may be necessary to contact local authorities, such as the police, to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual involved.

Understanding the Limits of VRChat Moderation

VRChat’s moderation team is dedicated to maintaining a safe environment within the platform, and we take all reports seriously. However, it’s important to understand that there are limitations to what our moderation team can do, especially in urgent situations that require immediate, real-world intervention.

Moderators cannot access personal information such as a player’s real name, address, or phone number — information that might be crucial in emergencies.

How to Contact Authorities

If you believe someone is in immediate danger or experiencing a severe crisis, here are some steps to take:

• Contact Local Authorities:
  1. Non-Emergency Numbers:
     If the situation is serious but not life-threatening, consider contacting the local police using their non-emergency number. This allows you to request a welfare check or report concerns without tying up emergency lines.
  2. Emergency Services:
     If the situation is life-threatening, do not hesitate to call emergency services (911 in the United States, 112 in many parts of Europe, etc.). Provide the dispatcher with all the information you have, including what you observed and any details about the individual that could help them locate and assist the person in need.
• Provide Actionable Information:
  When speaking with authorities, be clear and concise. Explain what you observed, why you are concerned, and any relevant details that could help them respond effectively. If you know the person's location, provide that information as accurately as possible. 

After Contacting Authorities

Once you have contacted the authorities, continue to monitor the situation within VRChat if possible. However, avoid intervening further unless it is safe to do so. Let the professionals handle the situation from there, and if necessary, provide any additional information to authorities if they follow up with you.

After you have taken these steps, it’s important to inform the VRChat moderation team about what happened. Submit a report through the VRChat ticketing system detailing the situation, your concerns, and the actions you took to help the person. This allows the moderation team to be aware of the situation and take any necessary steps within the platform to ensure the safety of all players involved.

While VRChat moderation can assist within the platform, real-world intervention may be necessary for the safety and well-being of others. By understanding when and how to contact authorities and following up with a report to the moderation team, you can help ensure that individuals in crisis receive the help they need.

Conclusion

As a third party in VRChat, you have the power to help create a safer community by intervening in appropriate situations and reporting suspicious behavior. Your actions can prevent harm and ensure that VRChat remains a fun and welcoming place for everyone. Remember, speaking up is always better if something doesn’t feel right. By working together, we can make VRChat a safer and more enjoyable space for all players.