Harassment Policy of DemiCon
Definition of Harassment
Harassment is unwelcome behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, or unsafe environment for another person. Harassment may be verbal, physical, sexual, visual, or electronic and may include unwanted attention, contact, comments, threats, intimidation, stalking, or other behavior that a reasonable person would understand to be unwelcome.
To provide a safe and welcoming atmosphere for all convention attendees, and to support a wide diversity of beliefs, identities, lifestyles, and experiences, DemiCon adopts the following standards of behavior.
Consent: Yes Means Yes
Consent means a clear, voluntary, and affirmative “yes.” Everything else means there is no consent.
Do not assume that someone is consenting because they have not said “no.” Silence, hesitation, uncertainty, freezing, lack of resistance, or failure to object are not consent.
Consent must be:
- Freely given. Consent obtained through pressure, intimidation, manipulation, threats, or coercion is not consent.
- Specific. Consent to one activity does not imply consent to another.
- Ongoing. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
- Informed and capable. A person who is asleep, unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to make an informed decision cannot consent.
Past consent does not imply present or future consent. A relationship, friendship, prior interaction, costume, appearance, flirtation, or previous sexual or romantic activity does not constitute consent.
If you want to initiate or continue physical, sexual, romantic, or similarly personal contact, make sure you have an affirmative yes.
If you do not have a yes, stop or do not begin.
If consent is withdrawn, stop immediately.
Respecting Boundaries
Everyone has the right to set boundaries without having to justify them.
If someone declines an invitation, interaction, physical contact, photograph, conversation, or other attention, respect that decision. Do not demand an explanation, repeatedly ask, bargain, cajole, pressure, ridicule, retaliate, or attempt to wear the person down.
A person does not have to say the word “no” for a boundary to exist. Statements such as “not interested,” “please stop,” “I need to leave,” or other words or behavior communicating discomfort or unwillingness must be respected.
When you are unsure whether someone wants an interaction to continue, ask and obtain a clear yes before continuing.
Witnessing a Potential Problem
There may be times when you witness someone who appears uncomfortable, pressured, unable to respond, or unable to safely communicate their wishes.
Convention attendees are encouraged to help when it is safe and reasonable to do so. Depending on the circumstances, this may include checking in with the person, creating a distraction, getting assistance from others, or immediately contacting convention staff or a DemiCon Ranger.
Do not put yourself or others in danger. If you believe there is an immediate threat to someone's safety, seek appropriate emergency assistance.
If you see or experience harassment, contact Con Staff at The Hub or speak with a designated DemiCon Ranger.
Reporting Harassment
Anyone who experiences or witnesses conduct that may violate this policy is encouraged to report it to Con Staff at The Hub or to a designated DemiCon Ranger.
DemiCon will make reasonable efforts to respond promptly and respectfully to reports and to protect the safety of convention attendees.
Retaliation against anyone for making a report, assisting another person in making a report, participating in an investigation, or raising a good-faith concern is prohibited.
If a Complaint Is Made Against You
If convention staff or a DemiCon Ranger tells you that a complaint has been made against you and directs you not to contact the person who made the complaint, you must comply.
This includes voice, written, electronic, online, third-party, and face-to-face contact. Do not ask friends or other attendees to contact the person on your behalf.
Inadvertent contact during convention activities may sometimes be unavoidable. Such contact must not be used as an opportunity to initiate further communication or unwanted attention.
You are expected to cooperate with instructions from convention staff and DemiCon Rangers while the situation is being addressed.
Consequences
DemiCon may take any action it considers appropriate in response to conduct that violates this policy or threatens the safety or well-being of attendees.
Depending on the circumstances, actions may include:
- A conversation with convention staff or DemiCon Rangers
- A verbal or written warning
- Restrictions on participation in particular activities or areas
- A requirement to cease contact with another attendee
- Removal of membership and ejection from DemiCon
- Restrictions or bans from future DemiCon events
- Contacting venue security, emergency services, or local law enforcement when appropriate
These actions do not have to occur in this order. Serious conduct may result in immediate removal or other action without a warning.
DemiCon reserves the right to revoke membership and eject any individual from DemiCon when necessary to enforce convention policies or protect the safety and well-being of attendees. No refunds will be provided for membership revoked because of policy violations.
DemiCon is committed to addressing reported violations as promptly, fairly, and effectively as reasonably possible. All attendees can help make DemiCon an enjoyable experience by respecting the autonomy, boundaries, and rights of others.
If you have questions about any of DemiCon’s policies, please contact the DemiCon committee at concom@demicon.org or the DMSFFS Board at info@dmsffs.org.
