INDEX Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing and using INDEX's services, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our services. These terms apply to all members, including Practitioner Full Members, Organisational Practitioner Members, Associate Members, and Aspiring Practitioner Members.

2. Membership Eligibility
Membership is available to individuals and organizations involved in tertiary prevention. INDEX reserves the right to approve or deny membership applications at its discretion. Membership is contingent upon the payment of applicable fees and adherence to these Terms of Use.

3. Membership Fees
Membership fees are non-refundable and are due annually. Different membership tiers are available, each with specific benefits and access levels:

• Practitioner Full Membership: €150/year
• Organisational Practitioner Membership: €1500/year
• Associate Membership: €100/year
• Aspiring Practitioner Membership: €75/year

4. Use of Resources
Members are granted access to INDEX's resources, including but not limited to:

• A library of best practices
• Thematic and regional working groups
• Case consultations
• Professional development support
• Programmed events for networking and peer-to-peer exchange

These resources are for personal and professional use only and may not be shared, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without explicit permission from INDEX.

5. Code of Conduct
Members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully in all interactions within the INDEX community. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Respecting the confidentiality of case consultations and sensitive information
• Engaging in constructive and respectful dialogue during events and working groups
• Refraining from harassment, discrimination, or any form of misconduct

Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including termination of membership without refund.

6. Privacy and Data Protection
INDEX is committed to protecting the privacy of its members. Personal information collected during the membership process will be used solely for the purpose of providing services and will not be shared with third parties without consent. Members have the right to access, modify, and delete their personal information by contacting VPN's Data Protection Officer at Franziska Kreller datenschutz@violence-prevention-network.de .

7. Cookies
The Internet pages of the INDEX site use cookies. Using our website without deleting or deactivating the settings of cookies via your browser constitutes an acceptance of their use. Refer to our privacy policy for more detail on our cookie policy and how you may, at any time, prevent the setting of cookies. If you deactivate the setting of cookies in the Internet browser used, not all functions of our website may be entirely usable.

8. Intellectual Property
All content provided by INDEX, including but not limited to documents, training materials, and event recordings, is the intellectual property of INDEX and is protected by copyright laws. Members may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from this content without explicit permission. Unauthorized use of INDEX's intellectual property may result in legal action.

9. Limitation of Liability
INDEX is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of its services. This includes, but is not limited to, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data, or other intangible losses. Members use INDEX's resources at their own risk.

10. Amendments to Terms
INDEX reserves the right to amend these Terms of Use at any time. Members will be notified of any significant changes via email or through announcements on the INDEX platform. Continued use of the services constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

11. Termination of Membership
INDEX reserves the right to terminate membership at its discretion for violations of these Terms of Use or any other reason deemed appropriate. In the event of termination, members will be notified via email and will lose access to all INDEX resources and activities.

12. Governing Law
These Terms of Use are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Berlin (Germany). Any disputes arising from these terms shall be resolved in the courts of Berlin (Germany).

13. Contact Information
For any questions or concerns regarding these Terms of Use, please contact us at info@in-dex.org.

14. Confidentiality Agreement for Case Consultation:

• Importance: Confidentiality is crucial to ensure the privacy and safety of individuals involved in the cases discussed. Practitioners from various regions will be sharing sensitive information, and it's essential to maintain trust and integrity within the network.
• Guidelines:
  • Non-Disclosure: All participants must agree not to disclose any details of the cases discussed outside the consultation. This includes names, locations, specific incidents, and any other identifying information.
  • Secure Environment: The consultation will take place via Zoom. Only active members of INDEX who have accepted the terms of use and data security are allowed to participate. Ensure that you join the meeting from a secure and private setting to avoid unauthorized individuals overhearing the discussion.
  • Data Protection: No personal documents or information will be shared.
  • Anonymization: When presenting cases, anonymize any identifying details to protect the individuals involved. Use pseudonyms or general descriptions instead of real names and specific locations.
  • Respect for Privacy: Respect the privacy of all participants. Do not record the session or take screenshots without explicit permission from all attendees.
  • Legal Compliance: Adhere to any relevant legal requirements regarding confidentiality and data protection in your region. Be aware of the laws and regulations that apply to the information being shared.
  • Compliance with GDPR and BDSG: As INDEX is based in Germany, all data processing must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG). This includes ensuring the lawful processing of personal data, maintaining data security, and protecting individual rights[1][2]
  • Access Control: Only active members will receive access to the Zoom link for the meeting. No documents or personal data will be shared during the consultation.

By accepting these terms, you help ensure that our case consultations remain a safe and trusted space for practitioners to share and learn from each other.

Further information on data security can be found here: Legal Notice & Privacy Policy. 

References

[1] Data Protection Laws and Regulations Germany 2024-2025

[2] Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) - Gesetze im Internet