Let's create a safe event together
Kotae Expo does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on ethnicity, skin colour, gender, language, religion or any other factor. Everyone has the right to feel safe at our event without fear of discrimination, harassment or abuse of any kind.
We recognise that especially in public spaces and at events, it is unlikely that a space can be completely safe for everyone. For this reason, we encourage all visitors and staff to actively contribute to an atmosphere where everyone’s safety and well-being are priorities. Let’s look out for one another!
Here's how you can help create a safer space:
Respect other people’s physical and mental boundaries. Ask before, for example, touching someone. Even if you enjoy hugging, remember that everyone’s personal boundaries are different. Also remember that taking a photo of someone without their permission is not acceptable. Listen and change your behaviour if someone tells you that your actions are making them uncomfortable.
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- Respect everyone and don’t make assumptions. Do not make assumptions about anyone’s sexuality, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, values, socioeconomic background, abilities or health. Respect people’s names and pronouns. Be aware of your own privileges.
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- No body shaming. Do not comment on someone else’s body, even if you mean it as a compliment. Remember that everyone can cosplay any character!
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- Respect other people’s opinions, beliefs, experiences and differing viewpoints. Do not mock, ridicule, belittle, dismiss or embarrass anyone through your words, behaviour or actions.
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- Take responsibility for your own actions and behaviour. Be aware that your actions can affect others regardless of your intentions. Remember that harassment can be intentional or unintentional: a joke or comment meant innocently may still make someone else feel uncomfortable or distressed.
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- Make room for others. Try to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to take part in the conversation. Don’t talk over others or dismiss their opinions, and give others a chance to speak. Respect other people’s privacy and treat sensitive topics with care.
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- Speak up when you witness harassment and ask the person experiencing it whether they would like help or support. Don’t just stand by as a bystander!
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- Be considerate of others with your choice of clothing. Please do not wear clothing or costumes that are offensive towards another person’s ethnicity, nationality or religion. Remember that Kotae Expo is an all-ages event.
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- Cosplayers are not their characters! Do not make assumptions about a person’s values or beliefs based on the character they have chosen to cosplay.
Anti-harassment Contact Persons
Kotae Expo has anti-harassment contact persons who have been trained to uphold our safer space principles and support you if you experience inappropriate behaviour or harassment. You can get the phone number of an anti-harassment contact person from any member of Kotae Expo’s staff or volunteer team. Contact information is also available on the anti-harassment contact persons page.
If You Experience Harassment
If you experience inappropriate behaviour or harassment at the event, we ask that you report it to an anti-harassment contact person or another member of our staff. They are there to help and support you. Anti-harassment contact persons are also responsible for handling harassment situations together with the event’s security personnel.
If you notice something that you suspect may be harassment, don’t hesitate to check in with the people involved and ask if everything is okay. If necessary, you can always ask for help from the security personnel, the information desk or the event’s anti-harassment contact persons directly. During the event, anti-harassment contact persons are available around the clock.
If a situation cannot be resolved, the person behaving inappropriately may be asked to leave the premises as discreetly and unobtrusively as possible.
These guidelines have been created based in part on the anti-harassment policy of Ropecon, the Y-Festivals and the United Nations’ safer space guidelines for events.
