OrcaCon’s Anti-Harassment Policy

OrcaCon is dedicated to providing a great convention experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, disability, physical appearance, body size, race or religion. For this reason, we will not tolerate any form of harassment of convention participants. Con participants found to be engaging in harassment may be sanctioned or expelled from the con without refund. We expect participants to follow these rules at all convention venues and convention-related social spaces such as the hotel restaurant.

What is harassment?

• offensive verbal comments about gender, sexuality, disability, physical appearance, body size, race or religion
• showing sexual images in public spaces. Discussion or images related to sex, pornography, discriminatory language or similar is welcome if it meets all of the following criteria: ​(a)​ organizers have specifically granted permission in writing; ​(b)​ it is necessary to the topic of discussion and no alternative exists; ​(c)​ it is presented in a respectful manner, especially towards women and LGBTQIA people; and ​(d) attendees are warned in advance in the program and respectfully given ample warning and opportunity to leave beforehand. This exception does not allow use of gratuitous sexual images as attention-getting devices or unnecessary examples.
• intimidation, stalking or following
• photographing or recording someone without their permission
• sustained disruption of talks or other events
• uninvited physical contact
• uninvited sexual attention

Participants asked to stop harassing behavior must comply immediately.

What should I do if I am being harassed?

You may find the harassment stops if you clearly say ‘no’ or ‘please leave me alone’, or simply walk away. We would appreciate it if a volunteer was still informed, to help us identify any repeat offenders.

If you continue to be harassed or notice someone else being harassed, please contact a volunteer immediately. Con volunteers will help participants contact venue security, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment. The con volunteer will take whatever steps they can to assist you in feeling safe, and will put you in contact with or bring you to an appropriate staff member.

You do not have to give us details of the harassment. If you wish to report, we will take details of the harassment and work with you so you feel safe. It helps us maintain the safety of the wider convention environment, as well as enforcing our anti-harassment policy. If you report a serious criminal matter, please be aware that we may be obliged to contact the police. We would take into account any concerns you may have around involving them.

Anti-Racism Statement

Like society in general, racism permeates geek culture and geek spaces, making them less welcoming and safe for POC (People of Color). At OrcaCon, we want to prioritize the voices of people who are often spoken over or erased in geek spaces, and make OrcaCon as accessible as we can to people from all racial backgrounds. Problems POC attendees of geek events talk about include:

• People critiquing their cosplay costumes without being asked
• being expected to be an authority on POC characters in various shows or comics
• being talked down to or assumed to be less knowledgeable about topics being discussed.

This sort of behavior will absolutely not be tolerated.