Anti-intimidation policy

We are (with increasing frequency) receiving reports of intimidatory and bullying tactics being employed by cult members and supporters against AA members who express their disapproval and opposition to the cult groups operating under the aegis of AA.

We have had reports of at least two such incidents in East Kent, two in West Kent, one in East London and the incident reported on the website under the title “Conference Incident” (where the General Secretary of AA was subjected to abusive behaviour by two cult members).

Following on from the success of our anti abuse policy in relation to threatening emails we will now extend that practice to this sphere.  We would encourage any AA members who are on the receiving end of such behaviour to report the matter in writing to the Chairman of their relevant Intergroup with a copy forwarded to the General Service Office York and another copy “For the attention of the Trustees of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous” via GSO  (addresses available on AA website). This will ensure that the defence of ignorance of these matters cannot be employed by these service structures. If a more serious incident should occur it is advisable to contact the police and give them all available details.  It may not be the case that they can act solely on the basis of threatening or intimidating behaviour (no matter how unpleasant) but they will log the incident and give you a reference number should you need to contact them again. This will establish a history for the behaviour which may be useful if subsequent conduct becomes subject to a criminal prosecution.

For our part where we are satisfied that any information forwarded to us concerning such abusive conduct is reliable (ie not mere gossip or old scores perhaps being settled) we will without further notice name the perpetrators on the site and include full details of the groups with which they are associated.

We trust that this will not be necessary in the future.

Since receiving our first “hate” mail we have adopted the policy that any abusive or threatening communications via whatever medium will not be tolerated. All such cases will be reported in every instance to the regulatory authority with a request that action be taken to deal with the matter. Further, where adjudged to be appropriate, the incident will also be reported to the police. In the latter case they may merely log the instance or decide to take further action on a number of grounds including harassment. Every incident will be pursued to the fullest extent until a satisfactory conclusion is arrived at.

We have decided to publish the mail in question (for the purpose of the site anonymity preserved) to give an indication of what is not acceptable and what will be, and in this case has been, reported both to the service provider and to the police:

25/09/07: We have received an apology (made we believe in good faith) for the unfortunate mail - it was sent in a moment of anger and we accept that we are all (without exception) fallible. For this reason we have deleted the mail from the site.

It should be pointed out however that the above policy still stands.