Code of Conduct at GOTO Berlin

GOTO Berlin is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.

Any form of written, social media, or verbal communication that can be offensive or harassing to any attendee, speaker or staff is not allowed at GOTO Berlin. Please inform a GOTO Berlin staff member if you feel a violation has taken place and the conference leadership team will address the situation.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion; sexual images in public spaces; deliberate intimidation; stalking; following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Exhibitors in the expo hall, sponsor or vendor booths, or similar activities are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, exhibitors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material. Booth staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of conference staff immediately. Conference staff can be identified by t-shirts and special badges.

Conference staff will be happy to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We value your attendance.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all conference venues and conference-related social events.

What to do when you witness a Code of Conduct violation? 

All reports of incdents are confidential! - We will not publish the name of the reporter in any way.

Speak up
Of course we do not want you do get into a more uncomfortable position as you maybe already are. You do not need to interact with the person(s) who presumably violated the Code of Conduct.

Please let someone of the organizing team know
In every session-hall you will find one trackhost (the person who is introducing the speakers) and at least one crew member (wears colorful shirt with the word "crew" on it). All people who are working on GOTO Berlin are very aware of the Code of Conduct.
Approach them and let them know. (In most cases they will bring you to one of the main organizers, so we can write an incident report.) 

Important questions:

Who?
Speaker/Attendee/Service Persion/Organizer/Crew...
Could you see the names of the people involved?

Where?
In a session hall? In the foyer? At a sponsor booth? ...

When?
The approximate time of the behavior. (Remember, you have the schedule on your badge to check in what session you just were.)

What? 

• What were the circumstances that led to the incident?
• Verbal violation ("bad jokes", discrediting, ...)
• Visual viaolation (slide in the talk, T-Shirt with an inappropriate print...)
• Inappropriate physical interaction (violence of any kind)