Safer Space policy
(1) – The Berkeley Slam is committed to the safety of our community and all of its members. This includes but is not limited to performers, audience members, venue staff, volunteers, featured poets, and slam staff. We will not allow any act of hate, bigotry, harassment, or violence within our space.
(2) – The Berkeley Slam community is a community based in consent. It is the responsibility of individuals initiating contact to receive enthusiastic consent for the following activities:
(3) – The Berkeley Slam believes and stands with victims and survivors. We are committed to protecting the privacy of those who come forward. If a survivor(s) comes forward about past or current abuse on the part of a community member, nothing they say will be discussed without their permission. A survivor’s current involvement in the Berkeley Slam will have no bearing on how the situation is handled. The perpetrator’s status as community member, involvement with the slam, or any other factor will have no bearing on how the situation is handled as well.
(4) – We will work with survivors and prioritize their stated needs. The Berkeley Slam believes in transformative justice and so may call-in a community member who has compromised the safety of the space, explain why their behavior was/is harmful, and set clear boundaries going into the future. It is the understanding of the Berkeley Slam that there is no perfect way of handling situations of compromised safety within our community. If a victim or survivor comes forward with a different set of needs, we will prioritize those needs.
(5) – Community members that have been called-in are expected to demonstrate accountability, apply their learning, and earn back the trust of the community. In the process of calling-in, slam staff may ask that said member not attend the Berkeley Slam. If the community member being called-in is unwilling to participate in a learning and trust-building process, then they will be banned.
(6) – Bans may be issued by the Berkeley Slam staff when the safety of the Berkeley Slam community is compromised. These bans can be temporary or permanent at the discretion of slam staff.
(7) – This Safer Space Policy applies to conduct on any website or social media account held by the Berkeley Slam. Community members are responsible for what they say on the internet.
(2) – The Berkeley Slam community is a community based in consent. It is the responsibility of individuals initiating contact to receive enthusiastic consent for the following activities:
- Physical contact
- Emotional labor
- Discussion of poetry shared on stage
(3) – The Berkeley Slam believes and stands with victims and survivors. We are committed to protecting the privacy of those who come forward. If a survivor(s) comes forward about past or current abuse on the part of a community member, nothing they say will be discussed without their permission. A survivor’s current involvement in the Berkeley Slam will have no bearing on how the situation is handled. The perpetrator’s status as community member, involvement with the slam, or any other factor will have no bearing on how the situation is handled as well.
(4) – We will work with survivors and prioritize their stated needs. The Berkeley Slam believes in transformative justice and so may call-in a community member who has compromised the safety of the space, explain why their behavior was/is harmful, and set clear boundaries going into the future. It is the understanding of the Berkeley Slam that there is no perfect way of handling situations of compromised safety within our community. If a victim or survivor comes forward with a different set of needs, we will prioritize those needs.
(5) – Community members that have been called-in are expected to demonstrate accountability, apply their learning, and earn back the trust of the community. In the process of calling-in, slam staff may ask that said member not attend the Berkeley Slam. If the community member being called-in is unwilling to participate in a learning and trust-building process, then they will be banned.
(6) – Bans may be issued by the Berkeley Slam staff when the safety of the Berkeley Slam community is compromised. These bans can be temporary or permanent at the discretion of slam staff.
(7) – This Safer Space Policy applies to conduct on any website or social media account held by the Berkeley Slam. Community members are responsible for what they say on the internet.
with thanks to Slamlandia