1. WHOA is not a replacement for legal counsel and under no circumstances are any of its officers permitted to provide legal advice.
2. WHOA is also not a replacement for psychological counseling. While we hope to be a supportive and empowering embrace of understanding to those who come to us for help, we cannot provide advanced psychological assistance, and will also refer out in cases that seem to require it.
3. WHOA, its officers and members must agree as part of their involvement that they will never, under any circumstances, directly contact any person that is suspected of harassment. Rather, we deal with administrators and others in positions of authority who can use their influence to resolve the issue, rather than endangering any others.
4. WHOA does not demand compliance with its policies from sites. Rather, we suggest. If harassment is taking place and site administrators refuse to address it, WHOA uses letter writing campaigns, boycotts, or publicity to fight injustices, remaining nonviolent, responsible, fair-minded, and willing to negotiate on anything but a person's right to emotional or physical safety.
5. WHOA will not advise its members to write letters or take any action against any site unless it has either seen proof from the victim that harassment is taking place or has directly spoken with or visited the site and found a culture of harassment and abuse.
6. WHOA will not give out the personal information of any of its members or anyone it tries to help under any circumstances barring court order.
7. Members of WHOA agree to respect the privacy and emotional safety of others. The result of a proven breach of this policy will be immediate removal from membership and participation.

Official Statements