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PURPOSE The core of this theme camp is our community, and the core of our community is trust. We expect that all of the people at our theme camp are worthy of that trust. However, sometimes that trust is broken, and, whether malicious or not, the resulting effect on others can be detrimental to their mental or physical state. It is in order to ensure we can effectively respond to those situations that we are laying out some ground rules and expectations around behavior. This code of conduct outlines our expectations for participant behavior as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior. COMMUNITY PRINCIPLES & EXPECTED BEHAVIOR As a community, we are dedicated to creating an environment that nurtures mutual respect among all participants by providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. (And to be clear, this list is in no way meant to be exclusive, nor complete, but instead, indicative of the inclusivity and diversity we strive to support.) Help us realize a safe and positive experience for everyone. UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR We do not tolerate harassment of people at our events or in our spaces (in real life or online) in any form. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Anyone violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled (without refund). Harassment includes, but not limited to: CONSEQUENCES OF UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR If a participant engages in unacceptable behavior, whether by the letter or spirit of the rules, the Elders may take any action they deem appropriate, including expulsion from the camp without warning or refund. If an individual is expelled, they will be required to leave the camp (and possibly the event) as soon as it is reasonably safe for them to do so. In the meantime, they may be monitored by one of the Elders and/or Crew Leads. WHAT TO DO IF YOU WITNESS OR ARE SUBJECT TO UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR If you are subject to unacceptable behavior, notice that someone else is being subject to unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, we encourage you to attempt to head off the unacceptable behavior before it escalates, but only if you feel comfortable / capable of doing so. Some useful questions for checking in with someone when you’re not sure the situation is cool: “Are you okay? Is there anything I can do for you?” As the BORG said in a JRS in 2016, "Yes means yes, and no means no, maybe means no, drunk does not mean yes, and neither does naked or altered. So if you see someone being treated any way but wonderfully, step in and be an advocate." For more serious issues or any situations where you do not feel comfortable intervening, please notify an Elder or Crew Lead as soon as possible. They will either help you directly or help you identify the resources you need and escalate the situation as necessary. If you need help with any sexual assault, domestic violence or other threatening situation, know that Burning Man has developed a team of Emergency Services personnel to help victims of violence or abuse. Seek help at any Ranger Station or Medical Station immediately. You do not need to wait for an Elder or Crew Lead if you know the situation requires assistance from a Ranger, Medical Professional, or Law Enforcement. In 2015, they awesomely expanded their support of sexual assault victims to include emergency air-transport both to- and from-playa. If you or someone you know is assaulted, find a Ranger immediately (the closest Emergency Medical Services and Rangers Stations to camp are located at corners XXX). Do not shower and, if possible, place any potential evidence into a bag. If you wish to report an incident after the event, please contact any one or more of the Elders, Crew Leads, or members of the Incident Reporting Group, listed at the end of this document.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES 1) Enthusiastic participation! We all know that “no means no,” but sometimes being quiet and still means “no” too. Or even saying no initially, then saying yes after being “convinced” to participate by a partner can mean “no." There are lots of non-verbal cues that indicate someone is really not into what’s happening. If someone says no, you can also not punish them or retaliate against them for saying so! Rather than relying on your correct interpretation of non-verbal cues, aim for enthusiastic consent! Yes means yes! Pay attention to your partner(s) and keep checking in. Make sure their verbal and physical cues match. Consent should be mutual and continuous. 2) Not everyone is as coherent / sober as they may appear This is an event where people play with shifting and expanding their own boundaries. Maybe even you! So beware that when pushing your own boundaries, you may push into someone else’s. In some cases, crossing another person’s boundaries may cause them harm, whether you intended to or not. Even enthusiastic consent with someone who isn’t sober is very risky territory, both legally and emotionally. Some people enjoy and are okay with it, but if you are interacting with someone who you just met or don’t know well, consider keeping your interactions in PG/PG-13 territories until you’re sure you’ve seen them sober and you’re sure you are on the same page. And if it’s someone you do know who is suddenly acting out of character, check in with them and try to assess what’s going on. Better to take time to be sure than to cause lasting damage. 3) Aim to understand, rather than defend and explain Any situation involving more than one person is subject to multiple interpretations, so if a participant or Elder/Crew Lead tells you that you are behaving unacceptably, try to understand what they are saying rather than getting immediately defensive and explaining how they are wrong. When someone comes to you with a concern, if you tell them that they’re interpreting the situation incorrectly, it just makes them feel like you haven’t heard them and that, somehow, you believe their experience or knowledge of the situation is less valid than your own. Lose the ego, learn how your actions were perceived, and consider a sincere apology, which can go a long way toward diffusing a situation.
Note: When contacting anyone in this group about an incident, please indicate if there are any other individuals on the committee you are not comfortable being involved. They will recuse themselves from the group during the discussion of your incident. If you have an incident that you would like to report after the event, please contact any or all of these individuals: ● James Mayagoitia (aka Suit, aka Newsboi) jameslm86@gmail.com EXTERNAL RESOURCES Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) Rape Treatment Center |
