Crescendo's Anti-Harassment Policy
Crescendo is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, or anything else. We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any professional venue, including talks. Event participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event at the discretion of the organizers.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, or any other dynamic
Sexual images in public spaces
Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
Harassing photography or recording
Sustained disruption of talks or other events
Inappropriate physical contact
Unwelcome sexual attention
Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour
Enforcement
During an event, participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
If a participant engages in harassing behaviour, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event.
Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.
We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities. We think people should follow these rules outside event activities too!
Reporting a Concern
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our events for everyone. We want you to be happy at our event. People like you make our event a better place.
You can make a report either personally or anonymously. We can't follow up an anonymous report with you directly, but we will fully investigate it and take whatever action is necessary to prevent a recurrence.
You can make an anonymous report here.
You can make a personal report by:
Contacting a staff member onsite
Using this form and providing your contact information
When taking a personal report, our staff will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve other event staff to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we'll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we'll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You won't be asked to confront anyone and we won't tell anyone who you are.
Our team will be happy to help you contact hotel/venue security, local law enforcement, local support services, provide escorts, or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.
The Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape provides a free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week crisis line service. The Crisis Line is a private and confidential crisis intervention / support service. Call 416-597-8808 for support.