Open Repositories Anti-Harassment Policy

Open Repositories (OR) is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone.

OR is committed to helpful and respectful communication

OR has established the following policy & protocol to make it clear that we do not tolerate harassment in any form. Sexual or discriminatory language and imagery are not appropriate for any event venue, including talks, or any other communication channel used during the conference (such as social media).

Harassment includes:

1. offensive verbal comments related to sex, gender, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, age, race, religion; 
2. sexual or discriminatory images in public spaces; 
3. deliberate intimidation; 
4. stalking; 
5. harassing photography or recording; 
6. sustained disruption of talks or other events; 
7. inappropriate physical contact; and 
8. unwelcome sexual attention.

The lingua franca of OR is English; however, English may not be the native language of many OR participants. Further, cultural norms around what may be considered obscene and offensive communication will vary among OR attendees. Delegates are asked to please be mindful of the international character of Open Repositories, and to use respectful and clear language free of slang to facilitate communication. 

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers and Steering Committee representatives (or their designees) may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender, expulsion from the OR conference, or contacting a higher authority such as a representative from the offender's institution. (See Protocol for Conflict Resolution.)

If a participant raises a concern relating to actions covered by this policy in good faith, there will be no retaliation for bringing forward their concern. Threatening or taking action against someone for invoking this policy or for participating in any related investigation will be considered a violation of this policy.

Participants are expected to follow the anti-harassment policy at all conference-related venues, conference-related social events, and online communication channels

We expect attendees and speakers past and present to be respectful to each other, and we will deal with any incidents that arise, including on social media.

We value your participation in the Open Repositories community and your support in keeping the OR community a safe, welcoming, and friendly space for fellow participants.

Protocol for Conflict Resolution

1. Report
   If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a conference organizer or the Open Repositories Steering Committee (ORSC) immediately. The person who has been made aware of the incident will bring it immediately to the ORSC.

   Members of the ORSC will convene expediently to discuss and document the incident and to act quickly; they will notify the participant who raised the concern that it has been taken up by the ORSC.

2. Escalate
   Find a conference organizer or a representative of the ORSC and they will assist you. Open Repositories conference organizers should be able to be identified by their name badges, and will 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 conference.

   If you have been harassed via social media, you may send forward snippets or URLs to the ORSC; their names are available on the OR wiki.
    

3. Resolve
   If the incident results in corrective action, the community should support those harmed by the incident, either publicly or privately (whatever individuals are comfortable with). 

   TJC: the sentence above seems paternalistic to me, as well as out of place. I recommend we strike it, or possibly move it to Code of Conduct.

   The ORSC or its designee assumes the responsibility of responding appropriately to reports of harassment. The ORSC will address the harassing party should the person who was harassed consents to this course of action, and will notify the person who reported the incident so they know action has been taken. The ORSC will also make public a written summary of the incident on the OR wiki for transparency though we will deal with the matter as confidentially as possible; involved parties' identities and the circumstances regarding any concern or complaint will not be disclosed in detail unless disclosure is necessary for the purposes of investigating or taking disciplinary action.

   Should an individual aiming to help a victim of harassment encounter problems following the anti-harassment policy and protocol, that individual should engage the community about these issues. Then, the community should revise the policy or protocol appropriately to ensure a safe and welcoming community in which harassment is not tolerated.

Acknowledgments

Portions of this policy are modified from the Seattle Attic's code of conduct and the Ada Initiative's event harassment policy.