Nest 2019 Code of Conduct

Change document (at least 90% of the changes, reference the original docs linked to above to full details).

Note - in some cases a bullet point / section of text has just been moved to a different place. So if you see a text which looks new, it might have just been moved!

And specifically on the point of Sex / Sexual Activity in Public Spaces ... since this came up as a discussion point on FB (and this is not 100% clear on change doc above for some reason)

2018 version:
* Imposition of unwelcome sexual attention and behaviour:
a) Including inappropriate sexualized language that constitutes harassment; inappropriate touching, groping or persistent unwelcomed sexual advances.
b) Nest is a family event—behave accordingly in public areas or where children may be present.

2019 version:
* Sexual Harassment – Including inappropriate sexualized language; inappropriate touching or persistent un-welcomed sexual advances or comments.
* Sexual Assault – a sexual act inflicted on someone without their consent.
* Sexual Activity in Public Spaces – Nest is a family event so behave accordingly in public areas or where children may be present.

As you can see, there is a lot of common language between the two, however it has been split out and labelled for clarity. And added a 'sexual assault' term with a definition. But the principle of behaving appropriately in public spaces / in front of children already existed and very much same language.

Ref: Sexual Assault Definition from Rape Crisis website: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/looking-for-information/what-is-sexual-violence/other-kinds-of-sexual-violence/what-is-sexual-assault/

Some of the extra description was removed, in interest of trying to keep the document less wordy also, and make it more readable. It is not to change the meaning, just to make it more accessible and for people to be more likely to read the key messages.

As background, here is some descriptive text from 2018 CoC:

"This isn’t to dictate behaviour, but rather to ensure that the Event Safety Team has a basis for discussion with participants if issues arise during the event (see consequences of unacceptable behaviour below)."

"(In the interest of collaboration on best practice across UK events, some of the encouraged behaviours defined here are aligned with Microburn’s Code of Conduct. Content has also been informed from information sharing via the Burning Man Org. Regional Safety Network)."

"Striking a balance between radical self-reliance/expression and the responsibilities of the event team is a challenge for all Burn events.
The Event Safety Team exists to keep participants safe, we are not qualified or able to either police or pass judgment on general disagreements between or behaviour of individual community members. Nevertheless, while we encourage the free exploration of personal identity, there are behavioural boundaries that ought to be respected. "

Lexy, this PREAMBLE totally changes the meaning of everything afterwards. If you remove it, it is a completely different document, because it preframes everything that comes after, guides interpretation and utilisation. Without this, its a very different document.

Interesting that you see it this way, I find it a much clearer document without it! We all see things differently :slight_smile:

The second one is "CLEARER" but the meanings are materially different:

2019 says - essentially - "the following isn't to dictate behaviour - just make sense of problem behaviour faster and provide a basis for discussion or thinking things through.... Its a fine balance..."

(I like the 2018 preamble)

The 2019 pre-amble is more officious / absolutely dictates what comes after:

This Code of Conduct outlines clear standards of behaviour...

These standards of behaviour are expected to be respected by all participants and volunteers at Nest everything"

2018 is for the purpose of troubleshooting things that go amiss (practical) and 2019 is an attempt to regulate them out of the experience in a way that changes the atmosphere.

And yet they are vastly the same encouraged behaviours and unacceptable behaviours ....

The purpose of the 2019 one is also for trouble shooting - and also to try and help educate and inform .

I am going to tap out of this now until at or after the event. I appreciate your feedback and time taken to express your thoughts.

And encourage you to look forward on ways this can be improved and how the community can facilitate this. I look forward to seeing proposals on how this can be done differently.

Additional resources:
* 11th Principle Consent: Codes of Conducts (for other events)
https://www.11thprincipleconsent.org/resources/codes-of-conduct-conduct-committees
* Microburn Code of Conduct: http://microburn.org/code-of-conduct/ (other UK official regional)
* Summer House Weekend Code of Conduct: https://thesummerhouseweekend.com/code-of-conduct (Not a burn, but run by long time burner and great consent guidelines for a well established sex positive event)
* Kinky Salon - Charter: https://www.kinkysalon.com/oh-behave/ (ditto above, not a burn but a sex positive event run by a burner)
* Queer Code of Conduct
https://queer-code.org/coc.html

There was a point raised about using term "sexual assault" and that this is making it about being a legal crime. This document is not a legal document and is not attempting to describe what is legal or illegal behaviour. This is about setting expectations for behaviour in our community.

Yes, this could be approached in a more generalised way - however we were trying to provide clarity. The meaning is the same either way.

This is an example of another CoC (Firefly Arts) with more general non-consensual / harassment language:

"Any unwanted or non-consensual form of the following: intimidation, harassment, stalking, verbal or physical abuse, violence against people or non-consensual physical contact including unwelcome sexual interaction."

Lexy, actually, you might not have labelled it as such, and you might say "it's not a contract", but it absolutely represents a kind of contract in use and consequence without that preamble.

You're outlining "behavioural standards", expecting everyone abides by them (they are very prescriptive and granular) and defining consequences.

You may as well title it "Social Contract for attendees" because thats what it is, regardless of title, the way it is presently expressed.