All users are asked to read, agree, and adhere to these terms of use. If you do not or have any additional questions, please contact [email protected].
Preface
Tearfund’s online courses platform has been developed to enable users from across the world to learn together and from one another. The platform has a number of collaboration tools that enable peer-to-peer interaction, namely the ‘chat’ function and a ‘forum’ within facilitated courses. We hope these tools facilitate communication and help to build a learning community. In using these tools, all users are responsible for their personal conduct and must adhere to the guidelines stated below.
1. Caution on content
The courses that we provide on the online courses platform do address issues relating to poverty and vulnerability, which includes topics such as sexual and gender-based violence. Some users may find this content disturbing or upsetting. Where possible, any potentially disturbing or upsetting content will be indicated in advance. If you have concerns in relation to any of the information that Tearfund has provided, please contact [email protected].
By agreeing to these terms of use, you accept that some of the information shared has the potential to be disturbing or upsetting and will report concerns to Tearfund, where appropriate.
2. Children
The information that we provide on the online courses platform is written primarily for adults and some of the content may not be suitable for younger children. If you are under the age of 13, you must not create an account on the platform. Any account on the platform found to be created by a minor will be removed from the platform by Tearfund online learning support.
By agreeing to these terms of use, you confirm that you are not under the age of 13.
Please note: The law does not set a minimum age for when a child can give an organisation consent to process their data. However, as a guide for developing your policies on consent, you should consider that Article 8 of the GDPR says that a child must be at least 13 years old to give consent for an organisation to process their personal data in order to provide ‘information society services’ (in other words, a service a person asks an organisation to provide electronically, at a distance, in exchange for a fee).
3. Policy on abuse
Tearfund has a zero tolerance policy towards all forms of harm and abuse and seeks to ensure that all users are treated with dignity and respect. If a user’s behaviour whilst using the online courses platform is deemed to be harmful or abusive, their account will be removed from the platform and he or she will be blocked from re-registering. This action will be taken if the harm or abuse is reported to Tearfund or detected by Tearfund.
For the purpose of Tearfund’s online courses platform, harmful and abusive behaviour includes, but is not limited to:
- Any form of verbal or emotional intimidation
- Any actions taken to harass, threaten, embarass or target another person in order to cause harm
- Any form of sexual harassment, including unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favours
- Any sharing of illicit or illegal materials through the platform
- Any involvement in, or conspiracy to engage in, illegal activities
By agreeing to these terms of use, you confirm that you will not engage in any harmful or abusive behaviour as detailed above. You recognize that if you engage in any such behaviour, your account will be removed and you will be blocked from re-registering onto the platform.
4. How to report abuse
In the instance that any user experiences or perceives any form of harmful or abusive behaviour from another user, he or she must report it to Tearfund by emailing [email protected]. All information reported to Tearfund must be as factual and as accurate as possible. Tearfund online learning support will respond quickly and appropriately to any concerns raised. This may include reporting the perpetrator to the appropriate authorities.
If a user perceives any form of harm or abuse, or has concerns that relate directly to a child or vulnerable adult, he or she is obliged to report their concerns by emailing [email protected].
If a user would prefer to report an incident of harm or abuse confidentially, he or she should contact Safecall, an independent whistleblowing service provider. Safecall can be contacted by emailing [email protected].
By agreeing to these terms of use, you confirm that you will report any form of harmful or abusive behaviour that you experience or perceive from another user. You will also commit to report any alleged abuse or concerns that directly relate to a child or vulnerable adult.
5. Closing your account
Tearfund retains the right to close a user’s account and to block him or her from re-registering in the scenarios outlined above.
If a user wishes to close their account and to delete any of their data which is held by the system, he or she can do so by using the ‘Delete my account’ option in their user profile. This will permanently close the user’s account and all associated data held in the system will be deleted.