Why do we have an official anti-harassment policy for TechClubUK? First, it sets expectations for behaviour at the event(s). Simply having an anti-harassment policy can prevent harassment all by itself. Second, it encourages people to attend who have had bad experiences at other events. Finally, it gives attendees instructions on how to handle harassment quickly, with the minimum amount of disruption.

TechClubUK is dedicated to providing a harassment-free event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, age, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of attendees in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for this event. Anyone violating these rules may be sanctioned at the discretion of the organizers.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, age, race, religion, the use or display of sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately.

If an attendee/participants/volunteers/staff engages in harassing behaviour, organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact an organiser immediately. Please note, while we take all concerns raised seriously, we will use our discretion as to in determining when and how to follow up on reported incidents and may decline to take any further action and/or may direct the participant to other resources for resolution. Organisers will be happy to help participants contact security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe. We value your attendance.

We expect attendee/participants/volunteers/staff to follow these rules at all times. You will also be asked to obliged to any venue or organisation specific Regulations as well in addition to this policy.

License and attribution

This policy was originally sourced from yammer-ruby-hacknight. This policy is licensed under the Creative Commons Zero license.

This policy is based on several other policies, including the Ohio LinuxFest anti-harassment policy, written by Esther Filderman and Beth Lynn Eicher, and the Con Anti-Harassment Project. Mary Gardiner, Valerie Aurora, Sarah Smith, and Donna Benjamin generalized the policies and added supporting material. Many members of LinuxChix, Geek Feminism and other groups contributed to this work.