Awareness-Concept - student council of Biology & Biodiversity

1. Atmosphere

At our Fachgruppe and our events, all people/guests should feel comfortable and have a good time. Unfortunately, there are always people whose understanding of “having a good time” prevents others from having a good time. This can happen, for example, through assaultive/boundary-crossing and/or discriminatory behavior. Such behavior will not be tolerated by the Fachgruppe. These guidelines help to create a framework that enables a good and relaxed time and thus a safer space for everyone involved.
All Fachgruppe members can be contacted if assaultive/boundary-crossing and/or discriminatory behavior is observed or experienced. Incidents can also be reported by email to fsbio@gwdg.de. Please report all incidents (regardless of whether you have only observed them or have been affected yourself) at events to our Fachgruppe team or directly to the Awareness Team (emergency telephone).

No major event without:

• Awareness Team incl. emergency telephone (see point 2.1)

• Safer space room: a room where guests can retreat if they are not feeling well.

We make sure that:

• the advertising for the event is not sexist or discriminatory in any other way.

• the cheapest drink is non-alcoholic.

• tap water is available free of charge.

• there are signs pointing to the Awareness Team (toilets, doors, bar) and advising guests to take care of their drinks (knockout drops/roofies).

2. Structures

2.1 Awareness Team

Awareness means attention and represents the effort to offer guests a space in which active action is taken against discriminatory behavior by raising the awareness of all those involved and in which people can find support from the Awareness Team if this is necessary.

2.1.1 Basic principles

• We make sure that women* are on the Awareness Team.

• As an Awareness Team, we discuss and read the guidelines in advance of the event.

• All people in the Awareness Team are sober.

• We are recognizable to guests (high-visibility vests), approachable, and can be reached via the emergency telephone.

• We show presence at events, i.e., we walk through the location and observe the current mood.

• We actively approach conspicuous persons.

2.1.2 Responsibilities of the Awareness Team

A. The Awareness Team becomes active when transgressive and/or discriminatory behavior (1) is observed, (2) is pointed out by others, or (3) people ask for help in relation to it.

B. We look out for people who are heavily intoxicated and/or under the influence of substances: We approach them, ask how they are doing. If they have reached a level that no longer allows them to participate in the event in a sensible manner or causes other guests to be affected, we send them home. We ensure that these people find their way home (e.g., by calling a taxi). If the person is no longer responsive, we will call an ambulance if necessary.

C. The Awareness Team intervenes in disputes. Here we pay attention to de-escalation: we try to talk to the parties involved first. We never go into a situation alone. If necessary, we call the university security team, for example.

3. Dealing with specific situations

This point shows the options for action in situations in which people are confronted with transgressive and/or discriminatory behavior and sexualized violence at events. These can be: (1) situations that the Awareness Team observes itself, (2) situations observed by others and reported to the Awareness Team, and (3) situations in which affected persons ask for support. As a general rule, we never blame the person affected for assaultive/discriminatory behavior/sexualized violence! The affected person defines the incident.
If the Awareness Team observes a situation or a situation is reported:

• we ask the affected person how they feel (e.g., Is everything ok? Are you okay with situation xy?).

• We briefly explain to the affected person why and what was perceived as a boundary violation or was reported to the Awareness Team.

• However, we make sure that our own perception or the reported behavior is not imposed on the affected person. They may perceive the situation very differently.

• If the affected person does not want any support, we respect this. We offer a specific place (e.g., they should report to the counter) where they can receive support – even later – if they wish. Nevertheless, we try to keep an eye on the person a little so that we can offer support again if in doubt.

If the affected person asks for support from the Awareness Team

• we listen to the affected person and take them seriously.

• We explain that only what the affected person wants to happen will be supported. Everything is agreed with them.

• We offer support, e.g., a conversation or a way to get out of the situation. We ask if they would like to withdraw (e.g., to the safer space room).

• We are cautious about physical contact unless it is requested by the affected person.

• We ask if they would like to involve a trusted person.

• We are careful with questions. The affected person should not feel as though they must justify themselves. They may also feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about what has happened.

• We give the affected person and ourselves plenty of time (in crises, “taking the pace” is very important).

• We offer options for concrete support.

• We take the wishes and needs of the affected person into account and put our own needs second (e.g., if they don’t want the accused person to be kicked out, we respect that. We also discuss it with the affected person if we intend to call the police. It is important that the affected person has control over the situation).

• Further support can be provided, for example:

– If the affected person wants to stay, we make sure they have everything they need. Perhaps they would like someone to always be available nearby or for others to tell the accused person to leave them alone or for the accused person to leave the event.
– We offer that the affected person does not have to deal with the accused person themselves, but that someone else can do this for them.
– We offer that the accused person leave the location/be banned from the premises if this is desired.
– We offer professional support options/further counseling services.
– We make sure that the person gets home safely (e.g., taxi) if they want to leave.

Transgressive/discriminatory behavior

The definition of whether a sexualized boundary violation has occurred lies solely with the affected person. Every person affected by sexualized violence can speak for themselves about what they perceive as violence.
Violence is experienced, categorized, and assessed differently based on the personal history, present, and experience of those affected. For example, unintentional touching, dancing, or even consistent verbal hitting on someone can be perceived as transgressive or assaultive behavior. Regardless of what the sexualized assault looked like: if a person affected describes a rape or sexualized boundary violation in this way, then this corresponds to their perception and should be accepted as this description.
However, it is not only sexualized boundary violations that can make people feel uncomfortable at a party or report them to the Awareness Team:
Racist, anti-Semitic, sexist, and/or homophobic/transphobic behavior can range from verbal abuse to physical assault.
The following also applies here: If a person feels attacked and discriminated against by another person due to their sexual identity, skin color, and/or origin etc., you should support the affected person and act in a partisan manner toward them.

Power of definition

Power of definition refers to the concept that – because violence is experienced and perceived individually – only the affected person can define when violence begins, when boundaries are crossed, and what is perceived as violence. This means that the naming of violence/the crossing of boundaries by the affected person should not be questioned under any circumstances. Regardless of what the assault looked like or how you may have perceived it: if the affected person describes it as violence/assault, this must be respected. Furthermore, under no circumstances should the affected person be denied the ability to perceive by e.g., asking for details of the assault, constantly asking for a re-description, or doubting their perception.

Partisanship

Partisanship is a principle of action that first and foremost ensures trust in the affected person. This is particularly important, as trust is usually lost in the event of an incident involving transgressive behavior.
In addition to lost trust, a space that was previously perceived as safe was suddenly destroyed. This needs to be restored. In order to achieve this, you should take sides with the affected person. In other words, you should also take the person’s side.