Code of Conduct

At the Severn River, Ngarabal, and Kwiambal Aboriginal Corporation, we are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive online community. The following Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour we expect from all visitors and contributors to our website.

By accessing or using our website, you agree to adhere to the following principles:

Respect for All

We value diversity and respect all individuals, cultures, and communities. You agree to treat all users and contributors to the website with dignity and respect. Discriminatory, harassing, abusive, or offensive language or behaviour will not be tolerated.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or other personal characteristics.

• Language that is hateful, defamatory, or incites violence.

• Personal attacks or threats against other users.

Cultural Sensitivity

This website is dedicated to the Ngarabal and Kwiambal peoples and their rich cultural heritage. Please engage with content on the site in a way that shows respect for the culture, traditions, and knowledge of Indigenous peoples.

When interacting with culturally significant content:

• Respect the sacredness of certain stories, images, or symbols.

• Do not appropriate or misuse cultural elements for commercial or personal gain.

• Acknowledge and respect the custodianship of knowledge and traditions.

Constructive Engagement

We encourage discussion and the sharing of ideas, but expect contributions to be constructive and relevant. Any content you submit—whether comments, feedback, or inquiries—should contribute positively to the online community.

You agree to:

• Stay on topic and avoid spamming or posting irrelevant content.

• Use respectful language, even when disagreeing with others.

• Avoid posting or sharing misinformation or unverified claims.

No Harmful or Illegal Activity

The safety and security of all users is a priority. You must not use the site for any activity that could cause harm or violate any laws, including but not limited to:

• Uploading or distributing harmful software, viruses, or malicious code.

• Engaging in any illegal activity, including but not limited to fraud, theft, or hacking.

• Breaching the privacy or confidentiality of others.

Protecting Privacy

You agree to respect the privacy and confidentiality of others when using the website. Do not share personal or sensitive information without permission.

You agree to:

• Avoid sharing your own or others’ personal details (e.g., contact information, addresses) publicly.

• Refrain from collecting or harvesting personal information from other users without their consent.

Intellectual Property

All content on this website, unless otherwise specified, is owned by the Severn River, Ngarabal, and Kwiambal Aboriginal Corporation or its contributors. You agree not to infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or intellectual property rights.

This includes:

• Not copying or reproducing content without permission.

• Properly attributing and acknowledging any content shared from the website.

Reporting Violations

If you come across any behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct, we encourage you to report it to our team at [Insert Contact Information]. We will investigate all reported violations and take appropriate action.

Consequences of Breaching the Code of Conduct

Violating this Code of Conduct may result in immediate action taken by the Severn River, Ngarabal, and Kwiambal Aboriginal Corporation. The severity of the consequences will depend on the nature and impact of the breach. Potential consequences include:

• Content Removal: Posts, comments, or other contributions that breach the Code of Conduct may be deleted without notice.

• Warnings: In cases of minor infractions, we may issue a warning to the user regarding their behaviour.

• Temporary Suspension: Users who repeatedly breach the Code or engage in particularly harmful behaviour may have their access to the website temporarily suspended.

• Permanent Ban: For serious violations, including but not limited to harassment, hate speech, or illegal activities, users may be permanently banned from accessing or contributing to the website.

• Legal Action: In cases involving illegal activities such as cyber attacks, data breaches, intellectual property theft, or breaches of Australian law, we may pursue legal action. This may include reporting the behaviour to law enforcement authorities.

We reserve the right to take any action we deem necessary to protect the integrity of the website and ensure a safe, respectful environment for all users. Decisions regarding violations and consequences are final and are at the sole discretion of the Severn River, Ngarabal, and Kwiambal Aboriginal Corporation.

Changes to this Code

We may update this Code of Conduct from time to time to reflect changes in our community standards or legal obligations. Please review this page periodically to stay informed of any updates.

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding this Code of Conduct, please contact us at hello@ngarabal.org.au