The Outer Dark Symposium Anti-Harassment Policy
The Outer Dark Symposium (TODS) is dedicated to working towards a harassment-free experience for all participants, to include third-party vendors, hotel staff, or any others in our community, in any form. TODS has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to: stalking; intimidation; abusive behavior; offensive verbal comments; physical assault and/or battery; harassing or non- consensual photography or recording; sustained disruption of speakers, panels, signings, or other events; bathroom policing; inappropriate physical contact; unwelcome attention, in relation to, but not limited to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, body size, disability, appearance, religion, citizenship, pregnancy, etc. Symposium participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the symposium without a refund, at the discretion of TODS organizers.
Last Updated: January 2019
CODE OF CONDUCT
Educating ourselves and others ensures a harassment-free symposium for everyone. We encourage TODS members to hold one another accountable to the Code of Conduct and to take the perspectives of others seriously when a disagreement or incident arises. We expect participants to follow symposium rules at all venues, including those online, and symposium-related social events.
HARRASSMENT
Harassment includes: Verbal or written comments or displayed images that harmfully reinforce structures of oppression (related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, geographic origin, or class); deliberate intimidation; stalking; body policing (including gender policing in all bathrooms); unwelcome photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. All symposium participants (organizers, volunteers, vendors, members, etc.) are subject to the anti-harassment policy.
Please be advised that harassment does NOT include: respectful disagreement or critique in good faith. TODS continues to welcome and appreciate the reading or performance of risky material and the discussion of controversial ideas.
INCIDENTS AT THE SYMPOSIUM
If a participant engages in harassing behavior at the symposium, TODS organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the convention (with no refund).
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact TODS organizers immediately. At the symposium, organizers can be identified by badges, lanyards, stickers, or buttons. You can also complete and submit TODS Incident Report and either provide directly to an organizer at the symposium or email it directly to TODSymposiumSafety@gmail.com in order to file a complaint of harassment. Reports can be filed at any time, including after the symposium has ended. General concerns about the climate at the symposium may also be directed to the email address provided. All complaints submitted will be kept strictly confidential. However, should the alleged harassment be a violation of law (sexual assault; rape; battery; false imprisonment, etc.) TODS organizers will assist the complainant in notifying local law enforcement of the incident.
TODS organizers will be happy to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the symposium.
INCIDENTS OUTSIDE THE SYMPOSIUM
At times, concerns may be raised about members/participants (or potential members/participants) based on conduct that has occurred outside of TODS that may include gross violations of our policy and/or put members at risk, including:
Individuals who have not attended TODS, but have a history of abusive behavior and/or known incidents that took place outside TODS that may cause risk to a member’s (or members’) safety, or which may contribute to a hostile or non-inclusive climate at the convention.
TODS members who have been reported outside incidents, including (but not limited to) conduct at other conventions/events, threatening or abusive behavior online, or assault.
These may be individuals who may or may not have expressed interest in attending the symposium, and for whom reports may or may not have been filed, but who have come to the attention of TODS organizers.
TODS considers online behavior to be just as important as offline behavior. Outing online harassment or stalking, or deliberately connecting a pseudonym with a wallet name are all considered violations of our Code of Conduct and will be treated accordingly. These actions need not occur in TOD-affiliated spaces (e.g., our FB page) in order to be considered.
We understand that at times, our members will have disagreements or interpersonal conflicts that do not necessarily escalate to the point of harassment or abuse. TODS will not arbitrate feuds; we ask that you please leave these conflicts at the door to the extent that you are able. If, however, conflicts escalate to the point that they 1) threaten member safety, or 2) violate our Code of Conduct or policies at the symposium, TODS organizers may become involved.
TODS recognizes that codes of conduct can themselves be used to perpetrate abuse. TODS’ effort to value the contributions and participation of all members means that the weaponization of this code to deride, silence, and police others will be considered a violation of this policy.
ONCE A VIOLATION HAS BEEN REPORTED
Following the symposium, TODS organizers will review all reports submitted in a timely manner, following the procedures outlined in our Code of Conduct. Organizers will also review all reports made throughout the year, including general concerns about symposium policies or climate brought to our attention. All concerns or informal reports will be documented with regards to specific individuals within a formal report, maintained by TOD, with access limited to TODS organizers and relevant members as deemed appropriate.
If any TODS organizer recommends action to be taken (including but not limited to a preemptive ban, programming restrictions, volunteering restrictions, etc.), he/she will communicate all decisions to TODS organizers as a whole. On a case-by-case basis, TODS organizers may seek a vote or a review before finalizing a decision. TODS organizers may also notify local law enforcement if necessary, and will work with all departments to be on alert during the symposium.
TODS will make every effort to reach out to the alleged harasser(s) to obtain statements regarding the alleged incident, and will reach out to witnesses (if applicable) for statements, in order to make an informed decision regarding the allegation.
Once the final decision has been communicated to relevant parties, all have the opportunity to appeal the decision with an email to TODSymposiumSafety@gmail.com.
This policy applies to EVERYONE at the event. Exhibitors, fans, attendees, speakers, guests, professionals, press, staff, volunteers, and security are all subject to our anti- harassment policy. If you see something, say something.
Incident Report
This form is confidential and will only be viewed by TODS organizers. Responses will not be shared without your express permission. Once filled out, this form will be submitted directly to a TODS organizer at TODSymposiumSafety@gmail.com, for review.
Contact
General
Symposium Safety
Emergencies
Call 911
Non-Emergencies
College Park Police Department
(404) 761-3131
Sexual Assault
Grady Rape Crisis Center
(404) 616-4861