ROH Anti-Abuse Policy
This policy takes a proactive approach to abuse in our spaces, aiming to prevent harm and to offer consideration to the inclusive diversity which might lead to miscommunication. We will believe you and try to support you by being your witnesses and advocates in subsequent communication. This policy also applies to our crew and facilitators, who can use it and have it used against them.
Tell a crew member colour code + person:
Yellow
Someone is making you feel uncomfortable, and your gut feeling tells you something is not quite right.
For example:
- Staring
- Standing too close
- Confusing comments
We will:
- Trust you
- Keep an eye on this person
- Witness with/and for you
You might choose to engage with this person or not.
Sometimes just observation can change patterns and behaviour.
Orange
Something has happened which feels non-consensual or inappropriate, but it might have been a misunderstanding.
Or anything which feels between a “yellow” and a “red”.
For example:
- Patronising behaviour
- Overfamiliar behaviour
We will:
- Trust you
- Do our best to ensure you are safe and taken care of
- Talk to this person, explaining their behaviour makes others uncomfortable
- Ask them to stop engaging in interactions to reconsider and change their behaviour
- If unreceptive, we might ask them to leave
You will:
- Stop engaging with this person.
Red
A clear-cut violation of consent and/or boundaries.
For example:
- Non-consensual touch
- Discriminatory remark
- Not negotiated play elements being introduced into a scene
We will:
- Trust you
- Do our best to ensure you are safe and taken care of
- Immediately remove this person from the space
- Initiate an accountability process few days later
- This person will not be welcome back until the accountability process is completed
This policy is adapted from the Anti-Abuse Policy developed by Karada House Berlin, in turn inspired by the Color Code of Conduct invented by the owner of Homeroom restaurant in Oakland, USA.
Last updated 05/07/2022