Moderation at Lighthouse exists to protect the community — not to control it. This chapter describes the principles that guide moderation, how reports are handled, and what members can expect when a decision is made about them.

Guiding Principles

Lighthouse moderation is guided by three core principles:

• Fairness. Every report is reviewed on its own merits. Prior history may inform a decision, but every situation is evaluated individually.
• Consistency. We apply the same standards regardless of who is involved — whether a new member or a long-standing one.
• Good faith. We assume that most people are not trying to cause harm. Where a situation allows for multiple interpretations, staff consider context and intent before acting.

These principles do not prevent firm action when needed. A commitment to good faith does not mean ignoring clear violations.

How Reports Are Received

Members can submit a report in the following ways:

• Support Ticket — the primary and preferred channel. Submit a ticket through the Support Ticket page with as much detail as possible.
• Direct contact with a staff member — if the situation is urgent or you are not comfortable using a ticket, you may message a staff member directly in Discord.

Reports should include:

• A description of what occurred
• When and where it occurred (e.g., Minecraft server, Discord channel, specific date)
• Any evidence available (screenshots, chat logs)
• The username of the individual involved

How Reports Are Reviewed

When a report is received, the assigned staff member (typically from the Quartermaster department) will:

1. Acknowledge receipt of the report.
2. Review the available evidence and context.
3. Consult with other staff if the situation warrants it.
4. Reach a decision and communicate it to the reporter and, if applicable, to the reported member.

The time required to resolve a report varies depending on its complexity. Most routine reports are resolved within 24–48 hours. More complex situations may take longer.

Factors Considered in Moderation Decisions

When making a moderation decision, staff consider:

• The nature and severity of the behavior — isolated incidents are treated differently than patterns of behavior.
• Context and intent — what was the situation? Was there provocation? Was the member aware that their behavior was problematic?
• History — has the member had prior warnings or discipline for similar behavior?
• Community impact — how has the behavior affected other members?

How Decisions Are Communicated

When a moderation decision is reached:

• The reporter is informed that the report has been reviewed and that action has been taken, where applicable. Due to privacy, we generally do not share the specific outcome in detail.
• The member who was the subject of the report is informed of any action taken against them and the reason for that action.

If a member is placed in the Brig or removed from the community, they are notified through the website and/or by a staff member directly.

Escalation Paths

Some situations require escalation beyond the staff member who received the initial report:

• Situations involving a staff member are handled by Command, not the Quartermaster department.
• Situations involving potential legal violations (threats, harassment of minors, illegal content) are escalated to Command and may be reported to appropriate authorities.
• Disagreements within the moderation team are resolved by Command.

Questioning a Moderation Decision

If a member believes a moderation decision was unfair or incorrect, they may:

1. Submit a new Support Ticket explaining why they believe the decision was wrong and what outcome they are seeking.
2. Request that the matter be reviewed by Command if they believe the initial decision was made without proper consideration.

Appeals are not guaranteed to reverse a decision, but they are taken seriously. Submitting an appeal does not itself result in additional discipline.

Members are expected to raise concerns respectfully. Appeals that are threatening, abusive, or submitted in bad faith will not be honored.