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staff_procedure_for_incident_handling.md

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C++Now Staff Procedure for Incident Handling

C++Now conference staff should follow these guidelines and procedures when handling an incident of harassment or other inappropriate behavior.

First, familiarize yourself with:

Reporting Procedure

1. Make sure everyone is physically safe. If there is a threat to anyone's physical safety, including yourself or other conference staff, summon security or law enforcement. Local law enforcement can be contacted by calling 911. If everyone is physically safe, involve law enforcement or security only at a victim's request.

2. Inform the Code of Conduct team of the incident. Contact Jon Kalb (Conference Chair), Bryce Adelstein Lelbach (Program Chair) and Jackie Kay by emailing [email protected] and inform them that an incident has occurred.

3. Record what happened. If possible, have the individual reporting the incident record the details electronically or on paper. Otherwise, transcribe it yourself as it was told to you.

The important information that should be recorded is:

  • The name(s) or description(s) of the individual(s) doing the harassing.
  • The name(s) or description(s) of any other individual(s) involved in the incident.
  • The behavior that was in violation.
  • The approximate time and location of the incident.
  • The circumstances surrounding the incident.

4. Report the details to the Code of Conduct team. Provide Jon, Bryce and Jackie with a report describing the incident, preferably by email. All reports are confidential.

5. Make an initial response to the incident. Depending on the severity/details of the incident, please follow these guidelines:

  • Move the victim(s) and the reporter(s) of the incident away from the alleged harasser.
  • Offer the victim(s) a private place to sit.
  • Ask them "Is there a friend or trusted person who you would like to have with you?". If so, arrange for someone to fetch this person.
  • Ask them "How can I help?".
  • Provide them with the contact information for the conference staff if they need help later.
  • Ask other conference staff who are nearby to assist you if needed.

There are also some guidelines as to what not to do as an initial response:

  • Do not take any major actions or decide any responses that the conference should make. Jon will decide on an appropriate response.
  • Do not ask for their advice on how to deal with the complaint. This is the responsibility of Jon.
  • Do not offer them input into penalties. This is the responsibility of Jon.
  • Do not overtly invite them to withdraw the complaint or mention that withdrawal is OK. This suggests that you want them to do so, and is therefore coercive. "If you're OK with it [pursuing the complaint]" suggests that you are by default pursuing it and is not coercive.

6. Contact the alleged harasser(s). A conference staff member (preferably Jon, Bryce and Jackie) should communicate with the alleged harasser(s). The alleged harasser(s) should be informed of what has been reported about them. Allow the alleged harasser to provide their side of the story and record it as per step 3.

7. Meet with Code of Conduct team to decide a response. Meet with Jon, Bryce and Jackie. The main objectives of this meeting is to determine:

  • What happened?
  • Are we doing anything about it?
  • Who is doing those things?
  • When are they doing them?

Jon will decide how the conference responds, but all conference staff who are involved should be at the meeting to ensure that Jon have all the information they need.

Actions to take when dealing with Code of Conduct offenders include:

  • Warning the alleged harasser(s) to cease their behavior and that any further reports will result in sanctions
  • Requiring that the alleged harasser(s) avoid any interaction with, and physical proximity to, their victim(s) for the remainder of the event
  • Ending a talk that violates the policy early.
  • Not publishing the video or slides of a talk that violates the policy.
  • Not allowing a speaker who violated the policy to give further talks at the event now or in the future.
  • Immediately ending any conference staff responsibilities and privileges the alleged harasser holds.
  • Requiring that the alleged harasser immediately leave the event and not return.
  • Banning the alleged harasser from future events (either indefinitely or for a certain time period).

Keep in mind that it is not a good idea to encourage an apology from the harasser.

8. Inform accused individual(s) of any actions that will be taken. A conference staff member (preferably Jon, Bryce and Jackie) should communicate with the alleged harasser(s). Let the accused individual(s) know if there is a forum for them to appeal the decision, but that the decision will stand in the meantime.

9. Inform those aware of the initial incident that it has been handled. Make sure that everyone aware of the initial incident is also made aware that it is not according to policy and that official action has been taken. The privacy of individual attendees should be respected. Personal information and details of the incident should not be shared unless it is necessary.

If some attendees were angered by the incident, it is best to apologize to them that the incident occurred to begin with. If there are residual hard feelings, suggest that they write an email to [email protected].

10. The Code of Conduct team will make an announcement if necessary. Jon may decide to make a public announcement about the incident. If an announcement is made, the privacy of individual attendees should be respected. Personal information and details of the incident should not be shared unless it is necessary.