Policy on Harassment and Unwelcoming Behaviour
The following policy applies to the BSA Annual Conference as well as to BSA Trustees Committee meetings, including meetings of any sub-committees. Organisers of conferences funded by the BSA are expected to have suitable policies in place. Members of the BSA Trustees Committee, whether elected, appointed or ex officio, are also expected to comply with the policy when representing the Society.
The BSA is committed to fostering an environment that is inclusive, tolerant of a diversity of views, perspectives and methodologies, and free from bias, discrimination, and intimidation. Accordingly, the BSA is dedicated to promoting a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity or expression/assignment, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, pregnancy or maternity, or belief, religion, or social or economic status.
We will not tolerate harassment of or discrimination against participants in any form. Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Disrespectful or dismissive behaviour or language on the basis of gender, gender identity or expression/assignment, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, pregnancy or maternity, or belief, religion, or social or economic status;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Inappropriate physical contact;
- Intimidation, stalking or following;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Sustained disruption of talks or other participation;
- Inappropriate verbal content or images in presentations or in discussion.
The above list is not exhaustive. In general, we will not tolerate inappropriate behaviour that makes participants feel unwelcome at the Conference or at Trustees Meetings. BSA policy requires that participants must follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities.
Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behaviour, the BSA reserves the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. Penalties may range from warning the offender to expulsion from the conference with no refund up to and including expulsion from the Society and any future events.
Reporting Harassment
If you are the target of harassment or other unwelcoming behaviour, or you observe someone else being harassed, please report the incident as soon as possible. Harassment reduces the value of participation for everyone.
At the BSA Annual Conference you can make a report in person to one of two Conference Equalities Representatives (who will be identified on the conference page of our website) or anonymously online using the online Complaint Form.
In response to a report of harassment, the BSA President will normally appoint an ad hoc committee of members of the Society to investigate and recommend an appropriate course of action.
Reporting to a Conference Equalities Representative
You can make confidential reports of harassment to one of two Conference Equalities Representatives (CER), who have been selected for the role by the BSA President. When taking a personal report, the CER will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. The CER may involve other event staff to ensure your report is managed properly. You may bring someone to support you in making a report. You will not be asked to confront anyone and the CER will not tell anyone who you are without your consent.
The CER will ask you what information can be shared with the BSA President and/or other BSA Officers.
Submitting an Anonymous Online Report
You can make an anonymous report online using our Complaints Form.
Submissions will not indicate who you are unless you choose to include this information in the report. However, it will be helpful to have as much information as possible about the nature of the incident, so that we can make appropriate queries and take appropriate action.
Because we cannot guarantee that online reports will be checked immediately, if any immediate action is required at the conference, we recommend that you report the incident to a CER or inform a CER that an online report has been submitted.
This policy has been modelled on the Policy on Harassment and Unwelcoming Behaviour of the British Society for Ethical Theory, with their permission.