Friendly space policy

Friendly Space Policy for Wikimedia Events

Wikimedia NYC is dedicated to providing a harassment-free event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, or preferred Creative Commons license (and not limited to those aspects). We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. This kind of behavior is not appropriate for any Wikimedia NYC events. Event participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference at the discretion of the event organizers.

We expect participants to follow these policies at all event venues and related social events.

Definition of Harassment

Harassment includes, but shall not be limited to, offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, political affiliation, or religion.

Harassment also includes the non-contextual display of sexual images, deliberate intimidation, stalking, unwelcome following, harassing 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.

Corrective Action

Event organizers are responsible for ensuring this policy is followed. If they are concerned about the conduct of an individual, or receive a complaint, they will take action appropriate to the situation. In some cases this might be a private warning to the person concerned asking them to change their behaviour. In more serious cases it may be necessary to ask someone to leave. If necessary, event organizers will involve the staff of the premises where the event is being held, or the Police.

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of event staff immediately.

Event staff 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 event.

Where an individual exhibits a pattern of harassing behavior, the President of Wikimedia NYC may recommend to the Board that the individual be excluded from all future Wikimedia NYC activities. Such exclusion will take effect pending a resolution of the Board.

Any concerns with the implementation of this policy should be raised with the President of Wikimedia NYC in the first instance.

Contact Information

Phone numbers for event organizers, local hotel/venue security, local law enforcement, local sexual assault hot line, local emergency and non-emergency medical, and local taxi company to be publicized to event participants as appropriate on a per-event basis

Similar policies exist for community events as well, such as the Wikimedia Foundation’s friendly space policy for tech events, Wikimedia UK's participation policy and GLAMcamp’s friendly space policy.