Harassment Focal Point Is an Essential element of Event Safety and Security

A harassment-free, safe space is a prerequisite for sustainable event production. It means both a physical and mental space in which organizers and participants feel comfortable.

The harassment focal point creates this safe space. The focus is on the prevention of harassment and, if they occur, supporting the victim, preventing further harm and enabling the right handling of the situation.

A safe space is based on the principle of equality and non-discrimination between all people, where :

The rights of the individual are respected

Any form of bullying, discrimination, insulting, physical and mental abuse, humiliation, belittling, sexual and gender-based exploitation abuse and harassment, discrimination, and racism is prohibited and will be acted upon.

Zero tolerance to harassment means that it is not acceptable behavior, it will be intervened, investigated, and followed up.

The Harrassment Focal Point:

► Produces an event-specific Code of Conduct for distribution to all participants.

►Produce email and/or telephone notification channels for the event and name the person responsible for these channels.

►Establish, in collaboration with event organizers, the roles and responsibilities of personnel for addressing harassment notification. Such as:

►receipt of notification

►victim support

►prevention of escalation

►registration and initial processing of the notification

►resources the security staff to act as liaison officers to recognize harassment and provide necessary support on receipt of notifications

►prepares and distributes the notice handling plan and communication plan to the event staff

►provides a report summarising the notifications after the event to establish a status overview, as well as proposals for action to further develop ethical compliance.