MELBOURNE LINDY EXCHANGE 2015

Need Help?

If you are injured, feel uncomfortable or unsafe, or are experiencing or witnessing inappropriate behaviour, please let us know immediately. We will take urgent action. We will handle your complaint with absolute seriousness and in the strictest confidence.

1. You can approach:

1. the event manager (pictured online and at the front desk)
2. our volunteers at the front desk
3. our roaming volunteers (wearing colourful hats to identify themselves!)

2. Ask for the event manager, who will handle your issue as a matter of priority.
3. If you do not feel comfortable speaking to someone while at the event itself, please contact us at mlxsafespace@gmail.com or contact our event Safe Space Officer.   In 2015, please contact Genevieve on 0468 936 386.
4. We also have an anonymous feedback form for issues relating to the Code of Conduct. Our anonymous form is located here: http://tinyurl.com/q83yjn9
5. If someone lets you know that they are uncomfortable about another attendee’s behaviour, please encourage them to come and talk to us, or seek their permission to come and talk to us yourself. Even if they think it is not a big deal , we want to know about it so we can be prepared to take action and prevent situations from escalating.

MLX will stand by you and support you.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Melbourne Lindy Exchange (MLX) is dedicated to providing a safe event experience for everyone involved, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, or religion (or lack thereof). Everyone at our event (including attendees, DJs, volunteers, band members and staff) has an absolute right to feel safe and respected at all times. We do not tolerate harassment or bullying in any form.

Everyone attending or associated with MLX in any capacity is required to abide by the MLX code of conduct at all times. If you violate the following standards of conduct, we may ask you to leave the event immediately and will notify the police if necessary. We may ask you to not return over the course of the weekend, or to future events. We reserve the right to decide who attends MLX and we will ensure the comfort and safety of all attendees.

We expect every person to take ownership of their language.

• This means not using racist, homophobic, sexist, ableist or transphobic language, sexualised, rude or violent language, or language designed to make another person feel uncomfortable or inferior.

We expect every person to take ownership of their actions. This can include:

• Do not touch someone else without first asking. Do not touch anyone inappropriately.
• Stop touching them if they ask or tell you to.
• Only closely embrace someone with their consent.
• NEVER attempt aerials, lifts or drops on the social dancing floor.
• In a jam, ensure you have consent to perform an aerial, lift or drop, with every partner, every time. (We should not need to remind you that throwing your partner off their own weight without consent in any way or for any reason is a violation of personal space and safety.)
• Take proactive steps to find out whether the person you are dancing with is comfortable.
• It is your right to refuse any dance, for any reason at any time. It is your right to stop dancing with someone at any point for any reason.
• If someone lets you know, verbally or non-verbally, that they are feeling uncomfortable, check your behaviour, apologise sincerely, and make a change immediately.

Sexual Harassment

This policy is based on the Victorian standard – read more at http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/index.php/types-of-discrimination/sexual-harassment 

Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual behaviour, which could be expected to make a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. Sexual harassment can be physical, verbal or written. It can include:

• comments about a person’s private life or the way they look
• sexually suggestive behaviour, such as leering or staring
• brushing up against someone, touching, fondling or hugging
• sexually suggestive comments or jokes
• displaying offensive photos or objects
• repeated requests to go out
• requests for sex
• sexually explicit emails, text messages or posts on social networking sites.

Sexual harassment is against the law and some types of sexual harassment can also be a criminal offence. These include indecent exposure, stalking and sexual assault, as well as obscene or threatening phone calls, letters, emails, text messages and posts on social networking sites.

A single incident is enough to constitute sexual harassment – it doesn’t have to be repeated.

Bullying

Bullying is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological abuse that creates a risk to a person's health and safety (including mental health).

In the most severe cases, bullying behaviours can now be treated as a crime in Victoria.

Sexual harassment and bullying behaviours will not be tolerated at MLX. It is your responsibility not to sexually harass or bully other people. Educate yourself on what types of behaviour are appropriate, and act accordingly. Always seek consent.

These rules also apply to all online and electronic forms of communication that are associated with this event.

MLX POLICIES

Alcohol Policy

Do not bring alcohol to our licensed events.

You may bring alcoholic beverages to non-licensed venues.

• The supply of alcohol to minors is illegal and doing so will result in immediate expulsion from the event. If you are unsure if a person is a minor, do not provide alcohol until proof of age is provided.
• If you are behaving inappropriately as a result of intoxication, we reserve the right to remove you from the event.
• Do not drink and drive. We can assist you in finding alternative arrangements.

Illegal Substances Policy

Attendees are not to bring illegal substances or items to any MLX event.  This includes illicit drugs and weapons of any sort. Please familiarise yourself with the relevant Victorian laws if you are from interstate or overseas.

Unaccompanied Minors Policy

As MLX has licenced events, we are legally restricted from having minors attend without a parent or guardian.  

All licensed or late night events require a parent or parent-appointed guardian to be in attendance at the event for all attendees under the age of 18 for the entire time that the minor attendee is at the event. It is the responsibility of the parent of any minor to organise this prior to the event, we are not able to stand in proxy for parents at an event that we run.

Accommodation for minors should also be organised by parents before the event so that they are comfortable with the arrangements and the minor feels safe in the environment in which they are placed.

Minors will be required to wear an identifying item (wristband, etc.) provided by MLX so that licenced venues and other attendees can identify them.

Hosting Policy

MLX will endeavour to find appropriate hosting for all people that request it, but due to high demand this may not always be possible.  

We will advise you of the status of your request as early as possible so that you can find alternate accommodation.  Please let us know if your circumstances change and you no longer require accommodation.

Any MLX participant acting as a host or hostee, either officially or unofficially in the hosting program,  shall be bound by the Code of Conduct.

MLX will not provide hosting for unaccompanied minors.  See the Unaccompanied Minor Policy regarding the minor’s parent’s responsibility for organising accommodation.

PROCEDURES

Reporting issues

You can contact us by:

• Asking any organiser or volunteer for help
• Going to the front desk and speaking to the Event Manager
• Asking to speak in private or calling our designated Safe Space Officer In 2015, please contact Genevieve on 0468 936 386.
• E-mailing mlxsafespace@gmail.com
• Using our anonymous feedback form: http://tinyurl.com/q83yjn9

Our response

All reports will be taken seriously and confidentially.

When a report is made:

1. A staff member or volunteer will direct the reporter immediately to the designated Safe Space Officer. In 2015, please contact Genevieve on 0468 936 386.
2. Staff will communicate with the other parties to determine all sides of the story as soon as practicable.  Confidentiality of all parties will be respected.
3. We will communicate our response to all parties involved separately.

Actions

Depending on each individual situation, the following are possible actions that the Safe Space Officer or Event Manager may take:

• A warning to the person who prompted the report. This warning will include a reminder that any further complaints may result in further consequences. A copy of the code of conduct will be made available.
• The person who prompted the report will be required to avoid all contact with the person who made the report for the remainder of the event. This includes any electronic forms of contact.
• Immediately ending any positions of power the person who prompted the report holds (volunteer/staff/DJ status)
• Immediate expulsion of the person who prompted the report from the event
• Imposing a temporary or permanent ban on the attendance of person who prompted the report at future events

This list is not exhaustive and each issue will be dealt with on an independent basis.