safer spaces policy

Cryptid Queers is committed to creating inclusive, accessible and respectful spaces in which queer, alternative and marginalised communities can come together to create, perform, socialise and participate without harassment, discrimination, intimidation or unwanted conduct.

We recognise that no space can be guaranteed to be completely safe for everyone at all times. We therefore commit to taking concerns seriously, responding to reported harm and taking reasonable steps to protect the wellbeing and dignity of those who participate in our activities.

Everyone attending, performing at, working at or otherwise representing Cryptid Queers is expected to respect this policy.

This policy applies to all activities organised, delivered or represented by Cryptid Queers, including:

• Public and private events, club nights, festivals and performances.
• Workshops, training programmes, rehearsals and mentoring.
• Backstage, dressing-room, green-room and production areas.
• Markets, networking activities and associated social events.
• Organisational group chats, social media spaces and other online communications connected to Cryptid Queers activities.
• Conduct outside an event where it has a relevant and demonstrable connection to participation in Cryptid Queers activities or the safety of its community.

This policy applies to attendees, performers, workshop participants, organisers, staff, contractors, volunteers, traders, collaborators and guests.

Everyone participating in Cryptid Queers activities must:

• Treat others with dignity and respect.
• Respect personal boundaries, consent and individual autonomy.
• Refrain from harassment, bullying, intimidation, discrimination and unwanted sexual conduct.
• Respect the right of others to decline interaction, attention or physical contact.
• Follow reasonable instructions from event organisers and designated safety representatives.
• Avoid conduct that creates a hostile, threatening or persistently uncomfortable environment for others.

Queer culture, drag, alternative performance, adult humour, flirtation and artistic expression do not remove the obligation to respect consent and personal boundaries.

Cryptid Queers does not tolerate harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment, intimidation or unwanted sexual conduct.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Unwanted sexual comments, propositions, advances, gestures or messages.
• Repeated unwanted attention or contact after a person has indicated that it is unwelcome.
• Unwanted touching, sexualised contact or other violations of personal boundaries.
• Pressuring, coercing, manipulating or intimidating another person into sexual activity or contact.
• Conduct that disregards or overrides another person's expressed boundaries or withdrawal of consent.
• Bullying, threats, humiliation, stalking or persistent unwanted contact.
• Discriminatory or degrading conduct relating to a person's identity or personal characteristics.
• Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern or supports someone affected by misconduct.

A person's interpretation of their own behaviour as humour, flirting, artistic expression or harmless interaction does not, by itself, determine whether the conduct is acceptable.

Concerns will be considered in context, taking account of the behaviour reported, its impact, the available information and the relevant circumstances.

Consent must be freely given, specific and ongoing. It can be withdrawn at any time.

Everyone must respect verbal and non-verbal indications that contact, attention or behaviour is unwelcome. Where there is uncertainty, the appropriate response is to pause, check and respect the answer.

No one is entitled to another person's physical contact, sexual attention, time, emotional labour or personal information.

Previous consent, a person's clothing, performance persona, relationship with another person, or presence at an adult-oriented event does not imply consent to further interaction.

Anyone who experiences or witnesses inappropriate conduct, or has concerns about the safety of another participant, may contact the event organiser or a designated Cryptid Queers representative.

Where possible, reports should include relevant details such as what happened, when and where it occurred, and any available supporting information. However, a person does not need to provide a complete account or documentary evidence before raising a concern.

Cryptid Queers will:

• Listen to concerns without requiring the reporting person to confront the individual concerned.
• Treat reports seriously and sensitively.
• Consider immediate steps needed to protect those affected and other participants.
• Assess available information fairly and proportionately.
• Limit the sharing of information to what is reasonably necessary, recognising that absolute confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed.
• Communicate relevant decisions to those who need to know, where it is appropriate and safe to do so.

A person raising a concern will not be required to participate in mediation or direct confrontation where that would be inappropriate or unsafe.

Cryptid Queers will consider each report on its individual circumstances. Depending on the nature of the concern, this may involve speaking separately with relevant individuals, reviewing available messages or other information, seeking advice, and assessing any ongoing risk.

The organisation may take precautionary action before an investigation or review is complete. Such action does not, in itself, constitute a finding that an allegation is proven.

Where relevant, decisions will consider:

• The nature and seriousness of the reported conduct.
• Whether there are indications of repeated behaviour or boundary violations.
• The potential risk to participants, performers, volunteers and the wider community.
• The wellbeing and expressed concerns of those affected.
• The available information and any response provided by the person concerned.
• Whether practical conditions or restrictions could adequately manage the risk.

The organisation will not require a person who raises a concern to establish criminal liability before taking reasonable steps to protect its community.

Where concerns indicate a potential risk to participants or the wider community, Cryptid Queers may impose temporary protective measures while a matter is assessed.

These measures may include:

• Restricting contact between particular individuals.
• Requiring an individual to leave an event or activity.
• Suspending participation in workshops, rehearsals, performances or other activities.
• Excluding an individual from a particular event.
• Temporarily restricting attendance at Cryptid Queers events.
• Suspending access to organisational online spaces.
• Imposing other reasonable and proportionate conditions intended to manage risk.

The scope and duration of any restriction should reflect the circumstances and be reviewed where appropriate. Where a restriction is imposed, the individual concerned should be informed of its practical requirements and the appropriate contact for queries.

Following consideration of a concern, Cryptid Queers may decide that no further action is required, that behavioural conditions or other measures are appropriate, or that participation should be restricted or ended.

Depending on the circumstances, outcomes may include a warning, a formal agreement about conduct, restricted participation, removal from an event, suspension or longer-term or permanent exclusion from Cryptid Queers activities.

Serious misconduct or an ongoing risk to the community may justify substantial restrictions. The organisation may take account of relevant conduct occurring outside its events where there is a legitimate connection to the safety of its participants or activities.

Decisions will be made on the information reasonably available, with regard to fairness, proportionality, participant safety and the limits of the organisation's role.

Cryptid Queers is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ and alternative communities. Our events and activities are intended to provide spaces in which people can participate without fear of violence, abuse, harassment, exploitation or predatory behaviour.

Cryptid Queers reserves the right to refuse, restrict or withdraw access to its events, workshops and activities where information about an individual's conduct indicates a credible concern for the safety or wellbeing of our community.

This includes, but is not limited to, a history or pattern of violence, abuse, sexual harassment, non-consensual conduct, predatory behaviour, intimidation or persistent violations of personal boundaries, particularly where such behaviour has targeted or placed members of LGBTQIA+ or alternative communities at risk.

A criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for Cryptid Queers to consider protective measures. Reports, documented incidents, patterns of behaviour and other relevant information may be considered when assessing risk.

Where multiple concerns are raised, these may be considered together to establish whether there is a pattern of behaviour or an ongoing risk. All concerns will be considered seriously, sensitively and proportionately, taking account of the information reasonably available.

Cryptid Queers may impose immediate interim restrictions where necessary to protect participants while concerns are assessed. Such restrictions do not, in themselves, constitute a finding that an allegation has been proven.

Longer-term restrictions or exclusion may be imposed where the organisation reasonably considers them necessary to protect the safety and wellbeing of its community. Decisions will be based on the circumstances, the seriousness of the concerns and the need to maintain a safe and inclusive environment.

The organisation will handle reports sensitively, respect confidentiality as far as reasonably practicable, and take reasonable steps to ensure that decisions are made fairly and consistently.

The safety of our community is a priority. No individual is entitled to access Cryptid Queers events where their participation presents an unacceptable risk to others.

Reports and related information will be handled sensitively and shared only where reasonably necessary for safety, assessment, decision-making or appropriate advice.

Cryptid Queers will not tolerate retaliation against anyone for raising a concern in good faith, supporting another person, or participating in a review.

Retaliation may itself constitute a breach of this policy and may result in further restrictions or exclusion.

Organisers and designated representatives are responsible for taking concerns seriously, considering appropriate protective measures, keeping reasonable records of significant incidents and decisions, and applying this policy consistently.

Where an organiser has a conflict of interest or is personally involved in a report, an alternative appropriate person should be considered to oversee the decision-making process where practicable.

Cryptid Queers may seek external safeguarding, legal or other professional advice where the circumstances warrant it.

This policy operates alongside the Camp Cryptid Workshops Code of Conduct and any relevant venue rules, safeguarding procedures or contractual requirements.

Where conduct falls within the scope of more than one policy, the organisation may apply the relevant policies together.

Cryptid Queers Ltd will review this policy periodically and following significant incidents where appropriate.