Specifically to your question, within a thread, if you are choosing hide instead of report (they are split out inside of a topic) it is assumed that you are hiding with a "meh" as opposed to reporting (which also hides it). In the thread listing, when you haven't gone into the topic to see the precise post, you have the ability to make your hide either be a personal hide, or a hide+report. If you chose "meh, no reason", you are making a "personal" hide/mute and no report is filed. If you chose a reason other than "meh" then you are reporting the thread/post/member and if a sufficient number of other members report for the same reason, the "case goes to court". A moderator is assigned the report, they see what the post/thread/member is being accused of and make a "guilty/innocent" judgement. If guilty, the post is removed (not hidden, but it is gone) and the member banned by the automated system. If innocent, then the post/member is left alone. The length of the ban is automated based on the offense type and how many previous bans the member has had. There is no moderator discretion as to the duration of the ban.