Online Safety & Reporting Policy

For STAR - Steps To Active Recovery
Last Updated: December 10, 2025

Policy Owner: Board of Trustees

1. Our Commitment to Safety
STAR - Steps To Active Recovery ("STAR," "we," or "us") is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for all users, including children and vulnerable adults. While we are an informational resource and not a clinical service, we take the safety and well-being of our community seriously.
This policy outlines our procedures for identifying and responding to concerns regarding user safety, inappropriate content, and immediate risk of harm.

2. Users Under 18 (Children)
The STAR website and its resources are primarily intended for adults seeking recovery and support.

• Registration: If registration is required, we strongly discourage users under the age of 18 from creating an account without parental or guardian consent.

• Data Protection: We process the personal data of all users in accordance with our Privacy Policy. If we become aware that a registered user is a child, we will take reasonable steps to delete their account and personal information, unless retention is necessary for a safeguarding or legal purpose.

3. Immediate Risk of Harm (Emergency Protocol)
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, THINKING ABOUT HARMING YOURSELF OR OTHERS, OR ARE EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY:
DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE. IMMEDIATELY CALL 999 OR GO TO YOUR NEAREST A&E.
STAR is NOT an emergency service. We cannot provide crisis intervention or clinical support.
Our Crisis Response Procedure

If a user voluntarily communicates content (via email, contact form, or forum) that clearly indicates an immediate, credible, and specific risk of serious harm to themselves or others (e.g., specific plan, time, and location):

1. Non-Intervention: STAR personnel are trained to not engage in clinical or therapeutic conversations.

2. Referral: We will direct the user to appropriate emergency services and crisis helplines (e.g., Samaritans, local crisis teams).

3. Reporting to Authorities (Duty to Act): In exceptional circumstances where a user discloses a clear, imminent risk of serious harm or the commission of an illegal act (e.g., child abuse), we reserve the right, and may have a legal duty, to disclose the necessary information (including user details and content) to the relevant authorities, such as the police or social services, under the principle of vital interests and/or legal compliance (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(d)).

4. Prohibited Content and Conduct (Acceptable Use)
In line with our Terms and Conditions, the following content and activities are strictly prohibited on any interactive part of the STAR website (e.g., forums, comments):