Jam for Safer Spaces

Campaign for safer spaces at musical & creative events in Brussels

Our Policy

1. We reserve the right to refuse entry to clients and artists who have a history of violent, abusive or discriminatory behaviour, or behaviour that is otherwise deemed detrimental to the creation of a safer space. All hiring, booking and programming decisions are made in consideration of participants’ safety and wellbeing, using the fullest extent of our knowledge and judgment.

2. If harassment occurs during one of our events we will intervene as soon as possible. We believe that creative spaces should also be educational but not at the expense of safety. Some situations can be resolved with mediation or warnings or by educating people on what harassment is. Some situations, however, can only be resolved by removal of anyone who violates our safe space policy. If you feel that someone has come to our event with the intention of harassing or targeting you, please inform the SSF.

3. If you are the victim or survivor of previous/historical abuse and feel unsafe by the arrival/attendance of your abuser, please make the Safe Space Facilitator aware of the situation.

Some of our staff are trained in conflict mediation and might be able to facilitate a safe space for respectful dialogue. Where this is not possible or if there are legal considerations, we can help to distance parties or see that communication is consensual and respectful. Warnings can be issued where respectful behaviour or dialogue is not upheld. We do not have the expertise or authority to mediate all conflicts or to provide advice on all conflict or crisis resolution situations.

All serious allegations of violence should be made to the police. We are not legally qualified to presume to judge guilt in criminal matters. We believe that creative spaces should be inclusive. Consequently, when forced to exclude someone, it is for reasons of safety or for violation(s) of our safe space policy during our events. We will do all we can to support and protect victims and help them to feel safe.

Wherever possible, we also believe in second chances and building bridges to a better future where people can change their own behaviour.

4. If an artist requests to play and has a known history of abusive or discriminatory behaviour known to staff, the situation will be evaluated individually and possibly monitored by the Host, the SSF and the bar staff. First warnings may be issued as a reminder to be on good behaviour. Appeals for second chances may be offered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of our staff, in consultation with survivors whenever possible. Conditions for a second chance include: a demonstrated change in behaviour, preferably accompanied by an accountability partner; understanding that prioritizing survivors may mean that second chances are not permanent (probation); and agreement that they must leave respectfully if requested. The safety of survivors will always remain our primary consideration.

5. In the event that a harassment claim is made against a Host, SSF or staff member, they will recuse themselves from handling your incident and report it to the owner. If appropriate and necessary and possible, other staff will be called to replace them. Staff members are held to the same standard as any other participant at our events. If a staff member is called out by a client or the public, the rest of the staff will handle the incident following our protocols.

Please note that due to our finite personal resources, there is a chance that someone may not be immediately available to respond to situations. Additionally, if staff are not comfortable with or don’t have the resources to mediate a situation, outside support resources should be shared, including offering to contact appropriate authorities or groups if safety is in question. These decisions are at the discretion of the staff on site.

That being said, all participants’ safety and comfort are always a top priority, and we will do everything we can to create a safe situation according to our protocols listed below.

Staff / Organiser Response Protocols

We are currently exploring training options for staff on identifying harassment and abuse and in responding in the most appropriate and safe way. If you have suggestions for this or can recommend training services in Brussels or would like to join our upcoming workshop, please get in touch!

Our Protocols

Responding to Harassment and Violence

If a victim reports harassment during an event, inform and liaise with the SSF, Host and other staff. Identify Our Policy from above.
Any violence or threat of violence, ask the offender to leave immediately. Call the police.
Investigate the situation and what the victim needs in order to find out how we can make sure everyone is safe.
Is the harassment an isolated incident or part of a pattern of offending behaviour?
Is the offender apologetic or perhaps unaware of our policy on safe space?
Can this situation be worked out between both parties with our assistance?
Support the victim and help resolve the situation.
Provide mediation in non-violent situations or issue a warning to the offender.
If this does not correct the offending behaviour, issue a second (final) warning.
If this does not work, ask the offender to leave and/or refer the case to the police.

Our Protocols

Responding to Complex Situations

If the situation is based around a personal conflict, staff will do our best to provide impartial third party mediation, according to individual capacity and comfort, with the goal of resolving the conflict or offering support to de-escalate the current situation.
Where they do not feel comfortable doing so they may ask for a time-out or for someone to leave. If the conflict cannot be resolved in-house, this may be outside of staff capabilities. We will offer a list of resources for crisis resolution/mediation for another time.
If the conflict escalates, we may ask offending parties to leave the event in a way they feel safe doing so. We would obviously prefer to avoid this and hope that most conflicts can reasonably be resolved.
If the situation involves harassment by a stranger, discrimination or abuse, the offending party will be asked to cease any harassing, discriminatory or abusive behaviour, and are expected to comply immediately. This counts as a first warning.
If the offending behaviour ceases, and the harassed person(s) gives consent, no further action will be taken.
In the event that such behaviour continues, a corresponding course of action will be determined, including issuing a second (final) warning or direct removal of persons from the event. There will be no third warning; you will be asked to leave. We have an obligation to report serious harassment to the police.
If an harassed person feels they need to leave the premises, appropriate support contacts will be given and we will offer to stay with them until they are comfortable leaving.

Sources

The content of this document has been compiled from and informed by a variety of sources, including: General Policy for Safe Spaces 2019, the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, the Sled Island Safer Spaces online page, the No Fun Club, the Mental Health Commission’s Safer Spaces Guidelines, the Geek Feminism Wiki, Pixelles (Montreal), the Synonym Art Consultation’s Safer Spaces Policy and the Forth Safer Spaces Policy. This policy was last updated by General Bazaar in Brussels in June 2022.