Safety and Anti-Harassment Policy

Au Contraire aims to run a convention that nurtures and supports fandom, and the fan community. We’re all here for similar reasons, so the short form of this is; don’t do things which spoil other people’s enjoyment or safety, and don’t stand back and let other people spoil the enjoyment or safety of others.

Harassment of any variety is completely unacceptable. Harassment can be physical contact, verbal comments, or non- verbal actions. The taking of, or posting of photos without the express consent of the subject or subjects of the photo also constitutes harassment. If you experience or witness it we would encourage you to talk to a member of the concom, or talk directly to one of our harassment liaison officer. We will announce them at the opening ceremony, and they will have badges to help make them identifiable, and their mobile number will be available on the con whiteboard. Reports can be made in the strictest of confidence, and will be dealt with quickly.

Whilst Au Contraire is a great opportunity to meet new people, respect that not everyone may be comfortable with every – or any – conversations, or you being in their personal space. If someone seems uncomfortable or is not responding to you, change the subject or move away, or if someone tells you explicitly to leave them alone, please respect their wishes.

If your behaviour breaches the harassment policy, we will take any appropriate action up to and including contacting the police to have you removed from the convention.

Like most other fan-run cons, Au Contraire is run on a shoestring – and particularly so this time as we have gone to extra effort to keep membership prices down. What this means is that to replace missing or damaged equipment makes a big difference to us. Much of what we use is borrowed from members and supporters – and you can guarantee they will be less likely to extend the same good will to future conventions if they have problems. And members are often on a budget, frequently in a new city and irrespective don’t like having their stuff interfered with. In short – it may seem funny at the time, but t will make everyone grumpy and that’s not fun. Do not ever, ever set fire to anything in or near the hotel. And if you do don’t just think you can put it out – tell someone. These things have a nasty habit of flaring up again. (Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the hotel – believe us, you don’t want to be the target of 300 half dressed hotel guests forced onto the street at 4am.)

Thanks to AJ Fitzwater for their work on the Au Contraire 2013 Harassment Policy that formed the basis for this one, and to Andi Buchanan for providing feedback for updating our policy.