Safer spaces policy
INTRODUCTION, PURPOSE & SCOPE
Electric Love (EL) is committed to regularly reviewing and updating our Safer Spaces Policy to best protect those who participate in and engage with our events.
The Safer Spaces Policy outlines the steps EL has taken to provide a safe, healthy and inclusive environment for our participants and community and our approach to handling violations of our Code of Conduct and incidents at EL events.
As we continually work to develop our Safer Spaces Policy community feedback is welcome and encouraged.
Last updated: 2021-01-15
SAFER SPACES POLICY APPLICABILITY
EL Safer Spaces Policy, including the Code of Conduct, is in effect and applies to the following:
Attendees: Those who attend or participate in EL digital space or in-person events.
Contractors: Independent contractors, A/V production companies, Harm Reduction and Medical team, Security, Vendors (food, merchandise, and artisan), etc.
Crew: Independent subcontractors, Directors, Managers, Coordinators, and Volunteers.
Digital Spaces: Social media platforms and online events (personal, business and professional - Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, etc.)
In-person Events: All venues and spaces where EL conducts events or meetings.
Talent: Independent contractors, Artists, DJs, Performance Artists, Workshop Presenters, etc.
EL COMMITMENT TO SAFE, HEALTHY & INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS
AWARENESS
EL knows that safer spaces are not created by policy alone; strong policy must be supported by strong awareness. To encourage awareness, EL Safer Spaces Policy and Code of Conduct are posted on www.electriclove.dance, included in contracts, application submissions, and ticket purchases. Good Night Out Vancouver consent materials are shared in digital spaces and on posters at events identifying where a person who experiences or witnesses an incident can report and/or seek safe counsel.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Every year new research is published, and new training is available that pushes forward our understanding of inclusivity and safety. EL is strongly committed to being an active participant in this process. Our event leadership requires Coordinators, Managers and Directors to participate in Good Night Out Vancouver's Safer Spaces Training.
We regularly consult with industry experts, like Good Night Out, to review and evolve our Safer Spaces Policy and improve our intervention and response tools
Current Good Night Out Safer Spaces Training: 2020-10
Previous Good Night Out Safer Spaces Training: 2017-05
VOLUNTEER AND CONTRACTOR TRAINING
As part of every in-person event orientation training session, volunteers and contractors will be provided with training on EL procedures that cover:
How to identify harassment
Appropriate intervention actions
Immediate communication channels
Reporting procedures
Access to additional resources
When possible, EL will share free and low barrier, training opportunities provided by local organizations, such as Good Night Out Vancouver. This gives the community an opportunity to further their education on important issues that impact the events industry.
MANAGING INCIDENTS
INCIDENTS
As a community it is our collective responsibility to safely address and/or report harmful behaviour during in-person events and in digital spaces.
Depending on the severity of the incident, remedial action includes:
Education on why their actions are harmful
Verbal warnings
Removal from in-person events or the digital space
Involvement of security, emergency services, and/or law enforcement
Witnessed or reported violations will be addressed and the appropriate remedial / restorative action will be taken. The appropriate action will be determined on a case-by-case basis and with involvement from those who reported the issue.
REPORTING
EL is committed to:
Addressing reports while upholding anonymity and confidentiality*;
Securely managing, storing, and restricting internal access of reports; and,
Connecting those reporting to the appropriate community resources should they require additional support that surpass EL support structures, review capacity, and/or legal responsibilities.
*Exception: Minor protection Child, Family, Community Service Act or if the perpetrator is at risk of committing severe injury or mortality.
Digital space reports can be directed to:
Jennafer Harkness, Operations Manager: jennafer@electriclove.dance
General Inquiries: info@electriclove.dance
Online reports will be reviewed by our Operations Manager and responded to within 5 business days. Should you require immediate crisis support please refer to the RESOURCES section below.
In-person event reports can be directed to:
Coordinators and Managers or Harm Reduction, Medical, Security, and Volunteer Services.
Attendees can identify in-person event support by distinguishing apparel and crew credentials. Crew, contractors, and talent will receive communication channels to appropriate department leads.
RESOURCES
The Human Rights Code states that the Commissioner is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights in B.C.
HEATH INITIATIVE FOR MEN (HIM)
Non-profit society that aims to strengthen the health and well-being of gay men.
Phone: 604.488.1001 ext. 230
HealthLink BC’s registered nurses provide non-emergency, confidential health education and advice 24/7 for BC residents.
Phone: 8.1.1
Hearing Impaired: 7.1.1
Non-judgmental, inclusive e-mental health services for young people across Canada.
Toll Free: 1.800.668.6868
Text: CONNECT to 686868
24-hour provincial Indigenous BC Wide Crisis Line.
Toll Free: 1.800.588.8717
Adult/Elder: 250.723.4050
Child/Youth: 250.723.2040
Offers support, information, and referrals to queer, trans, and Two-Spirit people and their families.
Phone: 604.684.5307 ext. 100
24-hour Crisis and Information Line for immediate crisis assistance, emotional support, information and referrals.
Lower Mainland: 604.255.6344
National Toll-free: 1.877.392.7583
Offers mental health and substance use support to people across Canada.
Crisis Text Line: 741741
Crisis intervention and response for workers who have witnessed a traumatic incident in the workplace.
Critical Incident Response: 1.888.922.3700
Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers.
Toll Free: 1.877.330.6366