Posting Guidelines

Rainbow Hope is a safe and supportive community, and to keep it that way we ask that members keep the following guidelines in mind when posting or interacting with other members.

Be respectful of each other. This includes alters of DID systems. By chosing to participate in RH, we agree to respect the other members. Part of this is that we are responsible for and can control our emotions and what we do with them. This is to protect both other members and the alters themselves. It wouldn't be helpful for an alter who has a hard time controlling her emotions to come here and face a form of failure and perhaps even rejection if they express anger or frustration in a disrespectful manner. We understand that some alters may have stopped growing at certain levels of developement where that form of control has not been achieved, and we certainly do recognize that their anger is very valid and deserves to be heard. However this may not be the best place for these individuals. This doesn't mean that all alters have to be excluded from RH, and one thing form of compromise is for someone else in the system to give a voice to alters who cannot do it by themselves... like a mother accompanies her child in things that they are not yet able to do by themselves.

At RH we want people to be able to talk about issues that deal closely with violence and abuse without fear of upsetting other members, however we also want people to be able to choose not to read triggering material for whatever reason. Because of this, we ask that people post triggering material in the trigger folder, or mark their posts as triggering. Triggering posts are ones that talk about violence, memories, nightmares or strong emotions of anger, fear, sadness etc. Any kind of venting, posts which use strong or explicit language, or which deal with body-related or injury-related issues. The only things topics that are off limits in anyway talking about self-harm while you are doing it, and stating a definate intention of suicide. These restrictions are here because of the distress that would be caused to other members, and it is okay to talk about self-harm and suicide in other ways.

Nobody should feel that they are under any duty to post. Members give what they can, when they can. Don't feel that you have to answer every post, or even read every post. If someone hasn't responded to something you have posted, please try not to take it personally, everybody needs a break occasionally. Similarly, remember your own limitations and take care of yourself. There are no obligations here. Also please bear in mind that we are a support group, we cannot take the place of trained professionals.

Occasionally, conflicts may arise between members. Many of the issues dealt with in RH are sensitive and emotive. Sometimes we misunderstand each other, or take things the wrong way. Sometimes we have trouble expressing what we really mean. If you feel someone has said something that hurts you, ask for clarification, and give the other person a chance to explain. Things may not be always be meant in the way they have been taken. We are all human, and we all sometimes make mistakes.

If you have any problems, or want to contact a moderator, please don't hesitate to contact us by e-mailing rainbowhope@hotmail.co.uk. In sisterhood, us