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ConGregate 2025

Harassment Policy

We are endeavoring to make ConGregate a safe place for all fans to gather. Even so, certain types of inappropriate, offensive or harassing behavior can be found at public places across the world. To the best of our ability, we want to prevent inappropriate conduct during the convention.

It is very important that if you are being harassed, or in any way feel endangered, that you report it immediately. For the convention to be able to address issues, it is important that we be made aware of, with as many details as can be provided (names, badge numbers, descriptive information, etc.), any situation that might occur. You do not need to collect evidence. Instead, share the insights that triggered your report, being as concrete and detailed as possible.

If you feel you have been harassed, please find the nearest convention volunteer and ask to be directed to the Convention Chairman or Vice Chair. During convention hours, you should be able to locate a staff member at the con registration table, Con Ops (Hanes Boardroom), or in the convention pre-function space. 

Additionally, if you see someone being harassed, we encourage you to speak up and say something to the con staff. As a community, fandom needs to work together to make sure everyone is treated with respect.

Once a complaint of discriminatory harassment has been filed, an investigation will be conducted. The nature and extent of the investigation will depend upon the complaint. The convention will respect the wishes of the person reporting the harassment in further steps. A convention participant who it is determined to have committed harassment or who fails to cooperate with an investigation may be sanctioned or asked to leave the convention without a refund at the discretion of the con organizers. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Actions taken by the con staff are separate and distinct from any legal action and do not, in fact, preclude legal consequences from happening.

Notes on Whistleblowing:  At ConGregate, we have zero tolerance for retaliation, and want to be very clear about that. Trust, and a lack of retaliation, are the foundations of any whistleblowing policy for a responsible company. Individuals shall be safe and free to report any concerns without the fear of retaliation. 

The name(s) of any person lodging a complaint shall remain confidential, and not shared without approval of the person reporting the harassing behavior.

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Definition of Harassment - to create an unpleasant or hostile situation, especially by uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical conduct

Types of harassment include, but are not limited to: physical assault, battery, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate or unwelcome physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention, or negative comments regarding any gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, age, race, or religion.

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Online Behavior - For the virtual spaces that ConGregate controls, we expect everyone to adhere to the same standards we have presented in all of our policies pertaining to "at the convention" behavior.

Behavior at Other Events - If we receive a specific allegation of harassing behavior occurring at other events, outside of ConGregate, we will seriously consider whether that behavior would result in making others feel unsafe at our event. If it is determined that such behavior would create an unsafe environment, we may be forced to ask the accused individual not to attend ConGregate.