SIEF2019 Anti-harassment policy and purple point for reporting harassment

The XIV SIEF Congress in Santiago de Compostela is committed to providing a harassment- discrimination-free congress experience for everyone. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, physical appearance, body size, age, religion, socioeconomic status, birthplace or any other line of oppression. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or violent behavior of conference participants in any form.

Expected behavior at SIEF Congress

• Treat all participants, delegates, exhibitors, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, venue staff, service staff etc with respect and consideration, valuing the diversity of views and opinions.
• Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative.
• Communicate openly with respect for others, giving constructive criticism on ideas rather than individuals.
• Do not direct any personal attacks towards other participants.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert the event organisers if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
• Respect the rules of the meeting venue, hotels and any other venues.

Unacceptable behavior at SIEF Congress

Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to:

• Harassment, bullying or discrimination in any form
• Offensive, disrespectful, frightening, intimidating or insulting verbal comments or behavior that reinforces social structures of domination related gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, physical appearance, body size, age, religion, social class, birthplace or any other line of oppression
• Sexual images in public spaces
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following
• Harassing photography or recording
• Sustained disruption of talks or other events
• Unwanted or unwelcome physical contact
• Unwanted or unwelcome sexual attention
• Real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
• Physical, verbal or psychological abuse, assault or violent behavior of congress participants in any form

Enforcement

Anyone asked to stop any harassing or unacceptable behavior are expected to comply immediately. This anti-harassment policy outlines our expectations to all those people who participate in the congress as well as exhibitors, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, venue staff, service staff etc; they are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular those people presenting a paper, conveying, showing posters, AV or exhibitors should not use sexualized images or activities that are not strictly related to the content of the congress.

If a delegate engages in harassing behavior, event organizers can take any actions necessary to maintain the welcoming environment of the events for other participants. This includes warning the offender, debarring them from the conference altogether with no refund or notifying the authorities if necessary. The event organisers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.

We expect all participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities such as the welcome reception, conference dinner and dance party, mentorship program and coffee breaks. We also encourage people to follow these recommendations beyond the congress scheduled activities! Harassment and other violations of codes of conduct create a negative environment for everyone. We want to be happy and safe at our congress and make our event a better place.

Reporting

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome or you have any other concerns please report it as soon as possible.

There will be a ‘Purple Point’ located at the reception desk. The person in charge will wear distinctive purple clothing. This purple point will receive initial reports of problems related to harassment or disrespectful behavior and will initiate those actions deemed necessary, in coordination with the organisers and in accordance to the reporting person.

In addition, some of our volunteers will be specially trained to be a part of the “purple team” that will be a point of reference and safety in the event-related social activities. Please, do not hesitate to contact the purple point or any of the congress organisers if necessary.

When taking a personal report, our staff will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve other event staff and organisers to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we'll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we'll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You won't be asked to confront anyone and we won't tell anyone who you are. All reports are strictly confidential.

Our team will be happy to help you contact hotel/venue security, local law enforcement or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.

You can also make a personal/anonymous report by calling or messaging this phone number +34 605021015 (Lupe) + +447482613951 (Triinu). Or filling this form with personal or anonymous information.

If you have witnessed any unsafe, unwelcome or unacceptable behavior, please respond first to the affected person’s needs and safety. Support that person if they choose to report the incident, but respect their decision if not.

You can make a report either personally or anonymously. We can’t follow up an anonymous report with you directly, but we will fully investigate it and take whatever action is necessary to prevent recurrence.

If possible, gather the following information:

• Identifying information (name/badge number, appearance) of the participant doing the harassing
• The behavior that was in violation with codes of conduct
• The approximate time of the incident (if different than the time the report was made)
• The circumstances surrounding the incident
• Other people involved in or witnessing the incident

All reports will be treated seriously and responded to promptly.

If you are experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to personal or public safety notify 112.  

Aditional resources

This anti-harassment policy is based on the example policy from the Geek Feminism wiki, created by the Ada Initiative and other volunteers. For more information: https://adainitiative.org/continue-our-work/conference-policies/

For more resources and information: http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Conference_anti-harassment

On harassment at scientific meetings: http://bit.ly/osmspdf 

We also considered other policies such as the AAA Policy on Sexual Harassment & Sexual Assault and ASAEE (Spanish Anthropological Association): https://www.americananthro.org/LearnAndTeach/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=22956&navItemNumber=22957

MeAnthropology: https://metooanthro.org