Bristol Freeform Games Day

Anti Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct

We follow the UK Freeforms Anti Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct Policy.

Security Contact

The UK Freeforms security team can be contacted via email at security@ukfreeforms.org.uk

Ray Hodson is our in-person security contact for Bristol Games Day.

Ray Hodson (she/her)

Ray is a long time roleplayer, GM, freeformer and writer. She loves to weave tales based around history and myth.

Having finished GMing the weekend game A West End Lullaby, she has a huge backlog of games in the planning phase… some say she may finish writing them all by the next millennium.

Executive Summary

UK Freeforms expects every player to behave in a decent manner… often known colloquially as "don't be a d*ck." Almost all problems can be avoided by the application of good manners/common sense.

We are dedicated to providing a safe, fun gaming experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion and whether online or in person. All attendees of UK Freeforms events, including ad hoc social events and online meetings, are expected to treat other attendees with respect and politeness. Any harassment or inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated. If an attendee engages in harassing behaviour, the Organisers may take any action they deem appropriate, as set out in this document. Also note that UK Freeforms or the event organisers reserve the right to deny access to anyone who arrives at an event not fit for purpose, and therefore unable to take part.

What are harassment and inappropriate conduct?

Harassment is defined in law as "unwanted conduct on the grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origins, disability, gender reassignment, or religion which has the purpose or effect of either violating the claimant's dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for them."

"Inappropriate conduct" is "conduct towards an individual that is unwanted and causes discomfort, intimidation, offence, or humiliation, or creates an intimidating environment."

Note the words "unwanted," "purpose or effect," "causes discomfort."

Running games/social events for UK Freeforms

Any Freeforms/LARPs/ tabletop games/quizzes/get togethers etc. that take place under the UK Freeforms banner must be 'official' – they must have been through the appropriate bid/approval process and must be publicised through the UK Freeforms io group and/or Facebook account. This allows us to flag up challenging content and to exclude distasteful or unacceptable subject matter. If photographs / video are likely to be taken then there should be a method of opting out. Some suggestions could be a specifically coloured lanyard or a badge to show the opt out.

Using Online Platforms

The UK Freeforms zoom account, or the UKF Discord server (and sub servers) are available for all official meetings, presentations, board game chatter, and for most games. Do not share the meeting ID and passwords outside the group. Please let us know if you need an invite to the Discord server, Boardgamearena UKF group, or similar. Please do not just pass on links to other people or invite people. There are people who we have previously excluded from the group/convention who we do not intend to include. We don't want random strangers (or attendees) disrupting events by pornographic and/or hate images and threatening language. Do not share links via social media, including Facebook and Twitter.

Be aware that if you are using a video channel then other people may see your background, and that you may see their surroundings. Please ensure you check your physical location for possibly offensive articles, children, animals etc, and make sure you are decently attired. Please keep anything that you see private. You must not under any circumstances record conversations. We may record talks and presentations but will always make participants aware if this is the case.

Why does UK Freeforms need the policy?

We have implemented an anti-harassment policy (an official rule stating that personal harassment will not be tolerated at any UK Freeforms event) in response to reports of harassment in geek communities and at conventions. We want our community to continue to be a friendly and safe space for everyone.

What are some examples of harassment or inappropriate conduct?

Some examples are (not limited to):

  • offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion
  • deliberate intimidation
  • discussion of personal choice regarding COVID measures including mask wearing and social distancing
  • unwanted stalking or following of persons
  • harassing photography/video or unwanted recording of persons on devices
  • inappropriate physical contact
  • unwelcome attention, including sexual remarks, jokes, or taunting, leering, prolonged intimidating staring or suggestive gestures, sexual innuendo, suggestions of a sexual nature, or sexual contact
  • actions designed to deliberately disrupt the activities of others without good reason

Please note this list is not exhaustive. Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately.

Freeforms can be very intensive experiences that may express relationships between players that only exist in-game. An in-game relationship does not imply an out-of-game relationship or consent. Also, emotions can run high, and digital communication can be difficult. Please be conscious of players' experiences when you are dealing with their character. It is always better to check-in please follow any tools/methods that GMs/event organisers share with you.

What should I do if I am being harassed / witness someone else being harassed?

In some cases, you may find the harassment stops if you clearly say 'no' or 'leave me alone', or move to somewhere else on the server. You can contact UKF using the security@ukfreeforms.org.uk email which is used by our security team for all events, to help us deal with the situation and to identify any repeat offenders.

If you continue to be harassed or notice someone else being harassed, please notify the organisers by contacting the security team. We will be happy to help you find a safe space, which could be off-line; and we can contact law enforcement, provide chaperone services, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe during the convention.

What will happen next?

UK Freeforms security team will discuss the matter with you and if possible the offending party, and any witnesses, in a timely fashion. We'll treat all parties with discretion and sympathy. We'll treat information as confidential and only reveal what's necessary to other parties so that we can ask the right questions. Once we have obtained all the necessary facts of the incident, we will decide on the outcome of the complaint.

If a complaint is deemed to be valid and upheld, we will determine any appropriate sanctions, including but not limited to, the requesting of an apology, the removal from a specific game, or event, or removal from the convention, and potentially future events. Any removal will be without refund.

If the complaint is deemed to have no basis but to have been made in good faith no action will be taken.

If the complaint is deemed to have no basis and to have been made maliciously (i.e. to cause stress or discomfort for the target) the UK Freeforms organisers may choose to apply sanctions to the maliciously complaining party.

Thank you for helping us to make UK Freeform events safe and inclusive so that everyone can enjoy. We are happy to discuss all aspects of this document and its implementation with anyone running UKFreeform associated events.

For further information contact security@ukfreeforms.org.uk