Terms and Conditions

Victim Support Portal

Effective Date: 10th December, 2025

Last update: 7th January, 2026

1. INTRODUCTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms“) govern your use of the Victim Support Portal, https://academicintegrity.eu/victims/ (“Portal“), provided by the European Network for Academic Integrity (“ENAI“), a registered association (spolek) under Czech law.

 

By creating an account, accessing, or using the Portal in any way, you automatically agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Portal. ENAI reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. You will be notified of changes upon your next login after modifications are made. Continued use of the Portal after such notification constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. SERVICE DESCRIPTION

2.1 Portal Overview

The Victim Support Portal is a confidential platform designed to provide advice, resources, and peer support for individuals affected by misconduct and questionable practices in research and education. The service is provided on a voluntary basis by a network of recognized academic integrity experts (“Mentors“) and is coordinated by ENAI.

2.2 Nature of Support

The Portal provides peer support and advisory guidance only. It is not a substitute for professional counseling, legal advice, medical treatment, or professional mental health services. Users seeking professional support in these areas should consult with qualified professionals directly.

2.3 Service Scope

  • Free Service: The Portal is provided at no cost to users.
  • One-Time Advisory: Support typically consists of a single mentoring interaction, providing initial guidance and resources. Follow-up or ongoing mentorship is at the discretion of the Portal coordinator and available mentors.
  • Expected Response Time: Mentors aim to provide an initial response to your inquiry within approximately seven days. Response times may vary depending on mentor availability and the complexity of your case.
  • Global Availability: While the service is available to users worldwide, it is designed primarily for individuals affected by academic misconduct in research and education environments.

3. ELIGIBILITY AND USER REGISTRATION

3.1 Eligibility

You may use the Portal if you:

  • Are at least 18 years of age (or have parental/guardian consent if younger);
  • Have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements in your jurisdiction;
  • Are not prohibited by law from accessing the service.

3.2 User Registration

To use the Portal service providing personalised support, you must create an account by providing:

  • A valid email address
  • Any other information explicitly requested during registration

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify ENAI immediately of any unauthorized access or misuse of your account.

3.3 Accuracy of Information

You warrant that all information you provide is true, accurate, complete, and not misleading. Providing false, misleading, or intentionally incomplete information—especially if it could harm others or affect the quality of the support provided—may result in immediate account termination and denial of future service.

4. USER RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROHIBITED CONDUCT

4.1 General Conduct

You agree to use the Portal responsibly and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. You must not use the Portal in any way that:

  • Violates these Terms or any other applicable policies;
  • Infringes upon the rights of others;
  • Interferes with or disrupts the Portal or its services.

4.2 Prohibited Activities

To keep the Portal safe, respectful, and helpful for everyone, users agree not to engage in the following activities.

You must not:

  1. Provide False or Misleading Information: Provide false, misleading, or intentionally incomplete information, especially if it could harm others or affect the quality of the support provided.
  1. Violate Others’ Rights: Share content that violates the rights of others, including privacy, personal data, intellectual property, or confidential information.
  1. Submit Harmful Content: Upload or submit harmful content, such as viruses, malware, or any tools intended to disrupt or damage the Platform.
  1. Harass or Intimidate: Use the Portal to harass, intimidate, insult, or otherwise behave inappropriately toward mentors, administrators, or any other individuals.
  1. Request Prohibited Services: Request legal services, legal representation, investigations, or actions that go beyond the advisory nature of the Portal.
  1. Pressure or Manipulate: Use the Portal to pressure, threaten, or manipulate others, including institutions, colleagues, or supervisors.
  1. Send Unsolicited Content: Send bulk messages, advertising, spam, or any unsolicited content through the Portal.
  1. Attempt Unauthorized Access: Attempt to access accounts, data, or areas of the system that you are not authorized to access, or try to bypass any security measures.
  1. Use Automated Tools: Use automated tools, bots, or scripts to interact with the Portal without explicit permission from the administrator.
  1. Account Sharing: Share your Portal account with others or allow unauthorized persons to view your communication or submitted cases.
  1. Submit Offensive Content: Submit content that is offensive, hateful, discriminatory, or otherwise unethical, particularly regarding academic institutions or individuals.
  1. Damage Portal Reputation: Intentionally damage the reputation of the Portal, mentors, or administrators by submitting false information or misusing the services.

4.3 Consequences of Prohibited Conduct

If you violate these Terms, ENAI may, at its sole discretion:

  • Suspend or permanently terminate your account;
  • Remove or block your submissions;
  • Deny you access to the Portal’s services;
  • Take any other action deemed appropriate by ENAI.

Termination due to breach of these Terms results in immediate loss of access and cessation of all services provided by the Portal.

5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

5.1 Portal Content

All content, materials, design, functionality, and features of the Portal (including text, graphics, software, and documentation) are the exclusive property of ENAI or its licensors and are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

5.2 User Submissions

By submitting your story, questions, or any content to the Portal (“User Content“), you grant ENAI a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, store, process, and display your User Content solely for the purposes of:

  • Providing you with mentoring and support;
  • Improving the Portal and its services;
  • Conducting academic research on academic integrity (in anonymized form);
  • Complying with legal obligations.

You retain ownership of your User Content, but you acknowledge that ENAI may use it for the purposes stated above.

5.3 Restrictions on Use

You may not:

  • Reproduce, distribute, or transmit any Portal content without prior written permission;
  • Modify, adapt, or create derivative works from Portal content unless it is permitted by enclosed license;
  • Use Portal content for any commercial purpose;
  • Remove or alter any copyright notices or proprietary labels.

6. CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION

6.1 Confidentiality

The Portal is designed as a confidential service. Your story, communications with mentors, and any personal information you submit are treated with the highest degree of confidentiality, subject to the limitations described in this section and in ENAI’s Privacy Policy.

6.2 Mentor Confidentiality

All mentors are bound by separate confidentiality agreements that require them to maintain the confidentiality of your information and not to disclose your identity or the contents of your case without your explicit consent, except as required by law.

6.3 Privacy Policy and Data Protection

Your personal data is processed in accordance with ENAI’s Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For detailed information about how your data is collected, stored, used, and protected, please refer to the Privacy Policy at: https://academicintegrity.eu/victims/privacy-policy/

6.4 Cookies

The Portal uses cookies for analytics and functionality purposes, as described in detail in our Cookie Policy (EU) available at: https://academicintegrity.eu/victims/cookie-policy-eu/

6.5 Limits to Confidentiality

Notwithstanding the confidential nature of the service, ENAI may disclose your information:

  • Legal Obligation: When required by law, court order, or legitimate law enforcement request;
  • Safety Concerns: When disclosure is necessary to prevent serious harm to you or others;
  • Anonymized Use: When using your information in anonymized or aggregated form for research, statistics, or service improvement (with your consent where legally required).

In cases where ENAI is legally required to disclose information, it will notify you of such disclosure unless prohibited by law.

7. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMERS

7.1 No Professional Advice

IMPORTANT: The Portal provides peer support and advisory guidance only. It does NOT constitute:

  • Legal advice or legal representation;
  • Medical or mental health treatment;
  • Professional counseling or therapy;
  • Investigation or enforcement action against institutions or individuals.

If you require professional legal, medical, or mental health support, you must consult with qualified professionals in your jurisdiction.

7.2 “AS-IS” Service

The Portal is provided “as-is” without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. ENAI makes no warranty regarding:

  • The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of mentor advice;
  • The suitability of the service for your specific needs;
  • The uninterrupted or error-free operation of the Portal;
  • The quality or reliability of mentoring support.

7.3 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

  • ENAI shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages;
  • ENAI shall not be liable for any loss of data, reputation, business, or opportunity;
  • ENAI’s total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount paid by you for services (if any).

This limitation applies even if ENAI has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

7.4 No Professional Liability Insurance

Please note that ENAI does not carry professional liability insurance. This limitation underscores that the Portal’s services should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice or representation.

7.5 Your Sole Remedy

Your sole remedy for dissatisfaction with the Portal or its services is discontinuation of use.

8. ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT AND TERMINATION

8.1 Account Termination by User

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting ENAI at victims@academicintegrity.eu. For details on data deletion following account termination, please refer to the Privacy Policy.

8.2 Account Termination by ENAI

ENAI may suspend or terminate your account without notice if:

  • You breach any provision of these Terms;
  • Your conduct endangers others or the integrity of the Portal;
  • You engage in harassment, threats, or illegal activity;
  • ENAI determines, in its sole discretion, that termination is necessary;
  • ENAI decides to discontinue the Portal or the service.

8.3 Consequences of Termination

Upon account termination:

  • You lose all access to the Portal;
  • ENAI will cease providing services;
  • Your data will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

9. EMERGENCY AND CRISIS SUPPORT

9.1 Not an Emergency Service

The Portal is NOT an emergency or crisis service. Response times are approximately seven days, and the service is not monitored 24/7.

9.2 If You Are in Crisis

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, self-harm urges, or any immediate danger:

  • Do not rely on the Portal
  • Contact emergency services in your country immediately (e.g., 112 in the EU)
  • Reach out to a mental health crisis hotline in your jurisdiction
  • Seek in-person professional medical or psychological help

9.3 Emergency Contact

For urgent matters related to your case on the Portal (but not for mental health crises), you may contact the Portal Coordinator:

10. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LEGAL REQUESTS

10.1 Compliance with Legal Obligations

ENAI complies with all applicable laws and may disclose user information when required by:

  • Valid court orders or legal process;
  • Law enforcement authorities exercising legitimate legal functions;
  • Other legal obligations under Czech law or applicable EU law.

10.2 Notification of Disclosure

When legally permitted to do so, ENAI will attempt to notify affected users of any legal request for their data. However, in cases where notification is prohibited by law or would interfere with law enforcement, ENAI may comply with legal requests without advance notice.

10.3 Proportionality

ENAI will only disclose information that is:

  • Necessary and proportionate to fulfill the legal request;
  • Limited to the specific data requested;
  • Compliant with data protection principles.

11. MANDATORY REPORTING PROCEDURES

11.1 Mandatory Reporting Procedures

ENAI has adopted internal mandatory reporting guidelines for mentors and staff to address situations involving suspected serious crime or imminent risk of serious harm under applicable law. Mentors are required to follow these guidelines, which may, in exceptional cases, result in limited disclosure of information to competent authorities where legally required.
ENAI’s approach to such situations will prioritize:
  • Your safety and the safety of others;
  • Compliance with legal obligations;
  • Respect for privacy and confidentiality to the greatest extent possible.
Portal mentors are located in various countries all over the world, hence they are obliged by legal obligations of their country.

Any changes to this approach will be communicated to users through the Portal.

12. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

12.1 Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Czech Republic, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

12.2 Jurisdiction

You agree that any dispute arising out of or related to these Terms or your use of the Portal shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Czech courts.

12.3 Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute, you agree to first attempt to resolve the matter amicably by contacting ENAI at info@academicintegrity.eu or the Portal Coordinator at dita.dlabolova@academicintegrity.eu. If informal resolution is unsuccessful, you may pursue legal action in accordance with Czech law.

13. CONTACT INFORMATION

13.1 ENAI Contact Details

European Network for Academic Integrity (ENAI)
Zemědělská 1
613 00 Brno
Czechia

Email: info@academicintegrity.eu
Data Box ID: ea5jzzj

13.2 Portal Coordinator

Dita Henek Dlabolová
Email: dita.dlabolova@academicintegrity.eu

14. MISCELLANEOUS

14.1 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

14.2 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and ENAI regarding your use of the Portal and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and communications, whether written or oral.

14.3 No Waiver

ENAI’s failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision.

14.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights and obligations hereunder without ENAI’s prior written consent. ENAI may assign these Terms without restriction.

14.5 Notices

Any notices or communications required under these Terms should be sent to the contact addresses listed in Section 13. Notices to users will be provided through email or displayed upon next login to the Portal.

15. ADDITIONAL POLICIES

These Terms should be read in conjunction with the following policies, which are incorporated by reference:

  • Mentor Code of Conduct: [Link to be provided by ENAI]

16. AMENDMENTS AND UPDATES

16.1 Right to Modify

ENAI reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting to the Portal.

16.2 User Notification

You will be notified of material changes to these Terms upon your next login after modifications are made. Continued use of the Portal after such notification constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms.

16.3 Ongoing Compliance

It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically for updates. Your continued use of the Portal indicates your acceptance of any modifications.

Last Updated: 10th December 2025