EL Policy on Sexual and Other Forms of Harassment

Sexual harassment can happen in Spaces of Permission, as can other forms harassment and violence.

Our policy aims to be preventative, while also making clear to all attendees what will happen should an accusation of sexual or any other form of harassment or violence be made.

YELLOW

You feel uncomfortable as a result of someone’s presence or action (e.g. staring, too close etc.), your gut feeling tells you that something isn‘t right.

You can tell them directly and/or you can tell us and we will witness with and/or for you.

We‘ll not judge you, we will trust you and keep an eye on the person.

You may choose to engage with this person or not.

ORANGE

Something has happened that can be interpreted as non-consensual or inappropriate behaviour but may fall within a grey area where it could be interpreted otherwise (e.g. misunderstanding).

You feel very uncomfortable.

Please inform us and we will talk to the person and tell them that there’s someone who feels uncomfortable as a consequence of their actions.

We request that they stop engaging in any interactions, so that they may reconsider and change their behaviour, otherwise they will be removed from the space. You stop engaging with this person.

If you consent, we will disclose to them what the behaviours are and how they have been interpreted.

RED

A clear-cut violation of consent and/or boundaries (e.g. non-consensual touch, abusive language).

As soon as we are made aware, we immediately: 1. stop the person from interacting in the space; 2. ask you what you need to feel safe and take steps to ensure your safety. If you are in agreement, we will ask them to leave immediately.

We provide you information and referrals to access to a 24 hour counselling and support phone line such as 1800 RESPECT or the Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service on 1300 657 380 (9am-5pm 7 days a week). For an extensive contact and referral list, click here.

An accountability process will be initiated a few days later, which may lead to a restorative justice mediation or a report to the Police. In the case of possible criminal behaviour, we reserve the right to report the incident to the Police.

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Please note: It is possible to report a yellow, orange or red for anyone in the space, including facilitators and space holders. In the case where a colour is called on a facilitator, another facilitator will take their place until the matter is resolved.

Our policy on Sexual and Other Forms of Harassment endeavours to conform to established principles of trauma-informed practice to the extent that:

• It prioritises the feelings of safety of everyone involved and especially those of a person who makes an accusation;

• It explains clearly what our process is in advance and what you can expect from us;

• It ensures that the parties involved have a voice in the decision making process and that choices are explained to them clearly and transparently;

• It validates the feelings and concerns of the person making the accusation, while also speaking with the person who is accused;

• It is conscious of the impact of inequality and power imbalance on different members of society relating to their gender, cultural and religious background, sexual preference, neurodiversity, and so on.

We constantly aspire to improve and reflect on how we run Erotic Living. This policy has been implemented as a consequence of a Restorative Justice process with Transforming Justice Australia. This process was initiated because a serious breach of consent took place during one of our trainings in June 2021. This policy is an adaptation of the code of conduct of Karada House, a queer, kinky safe(r) space in Berlin, Germany.