Unfortunately, we don't have enough volunteers who are willing to help out in chat. So we can't offer 24/7 coverage in chat, which is something we've always been up-front about.

As for chat reports, we treat them like any report about inappropriate member behavior. We investigate the report, discuss what action should be taken, and then take action regarding the member. Like anything that involves members, it takes time. And while I hear how frustrating that can be (since chat is real-time, and the abuse or concern happens in real-time), it is what is fair to members given we don't have 24/7 coverage in chat.

There are two sides to every story, and so we always need to ensure we're seeing the whole picture in chat. We get chat reports lots of times that are very one-sided, leaving off what occurred just before the problem being reported. Sometimes that behavior that occurred resulted in the problem, so we have to investigate to ensure we understand exactly what went on.

Many times, there are some PMs going on in chat where a moderator is trying to work with the member to stop the behavior before something more needs to be done (like kicking the member from chat). We have a set of guidelines for moderators in how to deal with chat behavior and escalate the issue if it can't be resolved privately. We generally don't just kick members without first trying to resolve the problem (privately). Members won't know about these behind-the-scenes efforts, because we're trying to de-escalate the situation.

Without reports, of course, our hands are tied as well. So if we don't get a report about the behavior, then of course things won't change in chat.

But to answer the OP's question, the community guidelines apply to all members while in chat, at all times. If you're aware of a problem in chat, please report it to any member of the community support team, the date and time the problem occurred, and the room in which it occurred.

Thank you for your assistance in helping keep the chat rooms safe... While these seem like simple problems that should be dealt with easily, few chat issues are so black and white.

DocJohn