London Decompression (Decom) requires hundreds of participants to make it into the wonderful event it is.

To ensure that Decom is a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for everyone who attends, this code of conduct sets clear standards for what is expected of you while at and/or involved in Decom with regards to conduct and behaviour.

This code of conduct is applicable whilst:

  • Planning the event
  • Attending the event
  • Carrying out a volunteer’s role
  • Interacting with the Decom team all year around (as applicable)
  • Interacting in the physical world, and online.

 

Our Standards

Consent

Everyone has different boundaries and expectations for interpersonal interactions. Not all of us like or want physical contact. Please respect each other’s personal space and boundaries, including any discussion topics that might be distressing to other people.

Be respectful of each other

Try to understand each other’s cultures, experiences, opinions, and motivations. Respect each other’s rights and treat people with the same respect and dignity you would want from them;

Communicate and collaborate

Try your best to find inclusive ways to communicate with each other, and include others and collaborate in your projects and work;

Be considerate

We all have good and bad days, sometimes we laugh and sometimes we cry. Try to support your fellow participants and volunteers through the good and the bad;

Take care

Decom build and strike can be a dangerous environment (and has its own policy and training). Take care to look after yourself and think about your safety and the safety of others. If you have safety concerns, do not ignore it and report immediately;

Leave No Trace

Please set an example for others at the event, leave no trace, help keep the Decom build and strike areas clean, tell everyone why being part of a leave no trace event is so important. Help us look after Decompression and our relationship with the venue;

 

Reminders

The following are considered to cross lines of respect, consideration and consent, and will not be dismissed as ‘harmless’:

  • Inappropriate comments including those of a sexual nature;
  • Comments made to, or about, someone who feels they are unwelcome;
  • Ignoring a request (or indication) to stop a particular action that is breaching someone’s boundaries;
  • Abuse of position of authority or abuse of power if holding any kind of role or responsibility. This includes accessing or using people’s personal contact information inappropriately, or making personal requests not related to Decom business.

 

Unacceptable behaviours

These behaviours are examples of unacceptable and will not be tolerated:

  • Name calling, verbal abuse, or bullying;
  • Being insensitive to people’s pronouns;
  • Physical or mental abuse;
  • Physical or mental assault;
  • Aggressive behaviour;
  • Harassment;
  • Stalking;
  • Hostile behaviour;
  • The use of weapons;
  • Sexual discrimination;
  • Sexual harassment;
  • Inappropriate physical contact;
  • Unwelcome sexual attention;
  • Any non-consensual physical interaction;
  • Discrimination on the grounds of sexuality, ability, race, religion, gender, disability, age, or any other distinction or prejudice(s);
  • Stealing, or any form of theft;
  • Criminal damage.

Being in an inebriated state will not excuse a person from their actions if they decide to act outside the code of conduct.

 

How to report breaches

Non-Event Time (pre/post event)

Any volunteer feeling harassed or put in a compromising situation should report their situation to

  • The Consent Lead (consent@londondecom.org) or Inclusion Lead (inclusion@londondecom.org may be used as a contact point
  • Your departmental Lead
  • Any Uberlead
  • The Event Leads (eventlead@londondecom.org)
  • London Decompression Trustees (trustees@londondecom.org)

Event Time

  • If you are on duty you should make any report to your departmental Lead, or if you are a Lead report to your UberLead if they are also on duty.
  • If your Lead or UberLead is not on duty use the escalation list below.
  • If the matter is sensitive and/or involves a Lead or UberLead you should report to the level above.

Whilst on duty, all of the below should have a Decom radio.

  • D-Rangers
  • Ranger Lead
  • Welfare Lead
  • Site Lead
  • UberLead
  • Event Lead

The venue will also have their own security and medics, depending upon the venue and security/medical company being used, Decom may or may not have a positive working relationship.

Security should be contacted if there is an emergency situation, especially one involving violence but the Site Lead or above must also be notified.

Medics should be contacted if there is a serious medical issue but the Site Lead or above must also be notified.

 

Handling reported Code of Conduct breaches

Once a complaint is received, it will be treated in as much confidence as possible, and be investigated by a suitably trained and experienced person.

It is intended that investigations will be as speedy as possibly, but will reflect that they are being undertaken by volunteers and we strive to have a fair process that involves the victim and the accused.

Anyone with a perceivable or actual conflict of interest must recuse themselves.

All issues will be dealt with in a fair and unbiased manner. In some cases, during an investigation a person with an assigned role may be required to remove themselves from their role.

However, if a participant is found to have broken a code of conduct intentionally, or if the violation is egregious, one or more of the following actions may be taken:

  • Standing-down from work duty;
  • Removal from the role they’re undertaking for the remainder of the event;
  • If during setup, asked to leave site until the start of the event or ask not to re-attend the event;
  • If during the event, be asked to leave the event;
  • Being banned from being involved in future events run by London Decompression Ltd;
  • Being banned from attending future events run by London Decompression Ltd;
  • If during the course of the investigation the investigators feel there may be a reason to involve the police or other law enforcement agencies a decision may be made (and where permitted by law may involve briefing a company director). The desires of the victim for whether law enforcement is involved or not should be strongly considered.

Removal should be decided by any two, and preferably three people, selected from at least two of the following groups:

  • Consent Lead
  • Inclusion Lead
  • Any Uberlead
  • Event Lead
  • London Decom Trustee

 

v1.21 (Last updated: 19/10/2023)