Code of Conduct & Safer Spaces Policy

 

Freeplay is committed to supporting diversity and inclusivity. The Festival aims to provide opportunities that promote its core values, and will do so in a way that such care is taken to avoid the exclusion of minorities and oppressed persons. We believe the fluent understanding of systems that many game makers and players have means games cultures are at an advantage to begin talking about difficult issues related to systemic oppression in our greater communities, and we’d love to be the place to start having those conversations. We can’t have those conversations without providing an explicitly safe space for people to talk.

Freeplay is a place where anyone who wishes to contribute meaningfully and in good faith can have a chance to do so, and prides itself on finding voices that are not always heard.

We have adopted the following safer spaces policy in the ongoing effort to improve the diversity and inclusivity of our attendees.

 

Safer Spaces Policy

A safer spaces policy aims to foster an environment of respect which makes ALL participants, particularly those who are typically marginalized or excluded, feel welcome. Differing opinions and perspectives are crucial to effective discussion, but all attendees ultimately take responsibility for their own speech and behaviour – in person, and on social media – throughout the entire conference and associated social gatherings.

Attendees are encouraged to:

  • Ask respectful questions and avoid dominating a presenter’s question time to further any particular agenda. Question time after a talk is intended to give presenters the opportunity to expand on their talk in response to audience questions, and is not a platform for the audience to individually reply.
  • Not presume people’s pronouns. Name-badges have a space where attendees can declare their pronouns if they wish. We encourage all attendees, even those who do not worry about being misgendered – to add their pronouns to their name-badge.
  • Be mindful of and understand that intersectionality shapes our lived experiences.
  • Actively include all attendees in social gatherings (e.g. post-conference dinners and social events), particularly those for whom English is not a first-language. Exclusivity is not a value that Freeplay identifies with.

Examples of unacceptable behaviour in person and online includes, but is not limited to:

  • Verbal communication (public/private) that demeans, devalues or is derogatory towards one’s gender, sexuality, physical appearance, body size, class, appearance, race, religion, language, age, ability, and/or socio-economic status.
  • Not using content warnings when discussing content that may be harmful or offensive, such as graphic discussions or depictions of hate speech or sexual violence.
  • Bullying, stalking, following and other such intimidating behaviour.
  • Photography or recording without consent.
  • Disrupting or hijacking conversations (during talks, in question times or in general discussion).
  • Inappropriate non-consensual physical contact, or unwelcome attention of any kind.
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviours.

We recognise that the above list is not all-encompassing, and it is thus crucial that all Freeplay attendees be considerate, mindful and respectful of other attendees’ safety, and refer any concerns to the conference committee.

 

Enforcement

Participants asked to stop any harassing or harmful behaviour are expected to comply immediately or they will be required to leave the space.

In the case of repeated offending behaviour, Freeplay will take any action deemed appropriate to resolve the situation and make the space welcoming. Examples of such action include: verbal warnings, written warnings, temporary or permanent barring from Freeplay events.

If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, if you see that someone else is being made to feel unsafe, or if you have any other concerns, please contact the organisers.

You may do this in person – volunteers with bright Freeplay t-shirts will assist with contacting the organisers – via email to director@freeplay.net.au. Our representatives will be happy to assist you with action, the provision of security or appropriate next steps. All communication related to this policy will be dealt with in confidence.

The team will be happy to help participants contact venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event.

Freeplay also accepts that we are not above our own policies so please know all of the above applies to all members of the Freeplay team in equal measure. Furthermore if there are ever any aspects of our events including our communication or artwork which you feel is offensive or makes you uncomfortable please inform us.

This anti-harassment policy is based on the example policy from the Geek Feminism wiki, created by the Geek Feminism community.