1\. Keep in mind that all conference staff will be wearing a conference t-shirt/button with the word “STAFF” on it (or otherwise clearly marked as staff). The staff will also be prepared to handle the incident. All of our staff are informed of the [code of conduct policy](/code-of-conduct) and guide for handling harassment at the conference. *There will be a mandatory staff meeting onsite at the conference when this will be reiterated.*

2\. Report the harassment incident (preferably in writing) to a conference staff member. All reports are confidential. Please do not disclose public information about the incident until the staff have had sufficient time in which to address the situation. This is as much for your safety and protection as it is the other attendees.

When reporting the event to staff, try to gather as much information as available but do not interview people about the incident. Staff will assist you in writing the report/collecting information.

The important information consists of:

- Identifying information (name/badge number) of the participant doing the harassing

- The behavior that was in violation

- The approximate time of the behavior (if different than the time the report was made)

- The circumstances surrounding the incident

- Other people involved in the incident

The staff is well informed on how to deal with the incident and how to further proceed with the situation.

3\. If everyone is presently physically safe, involve law enforcement or security only at a victim's request. If you do feel your safety in jeopardy please do not hesitate to contact local law enforcement by dialing 911. If you do not have a cell phone, you can use any hotel phone or simply ask a staff member.

**Note**: Incidents that violate the Code of Conduct are extremely damaging to the community, and they will not be tolerated. The silver lining is that, in many cases, these incidents present a chance for the offenders, and the community at large, to grow, learn, and become better. North Bay Python staff requests that they be your first resource when reporting a North Bay Python-related incident, so that they may enforce the Code of Conduct and take quick action toward a resolution.

A listing of [North Bay Python staff is located here](/about/team), including contact phone numbers. If at all possible, all reports should be made directly to Bleep and Bloop.

Be sure to have a good understanding of our Code of Conduct policy, which can be found here: [https://northbaypython.org/code-of-conduct](/code-of-conduct)

Also have a good understanding of what is expected from an attendee that wants to report a harassment incident. These guidelines can be found here: [https://northbaypython.org/code-of-conduct/harassment-incidents](/code-of-conduct/harassment-incidents)

Try to get as much of the incident in written form by the reporter. If you cannot, transcribe it yourself as it was told to you. The important information to gather include the following:

 - Identifying information (name/badge number) of the participant doing the harassing

 - The behavior that was in violation

 - The approximate time of the behavior (if different than the time the report was made)

 - The circumstances surrounding the incident

 - Other people involved in the incident

Prepare an initial response to the incident. This initial response is very important and will set the tone for North Bay Python. Depending on the severity/details of the incident, please follow these guidelines:

 - If there is any general threat to attendees or the safety of anyone including conference staff is in doubt, summon security or police

 - Offer the victim a private place to sit

 - Ask "is there a friend or trusted person who you would like to be with you?" (if so, arrange for someone to fetch this person)

 - Ask them "how can I help?"

 - Provide them with your list of emergency contacts if they need help later

 - If everyone is presently physically safe, involve law enforcement or security only at a victim's request

There are also some guidelines as to what not to do as an initial response:

 - Do not overtly invite them to withdraw the complaint or mention that withdrawal is OK. This suggests that you want them to do so, and is therefore coercive. "If you're OK with it [pursuing the complaint]" suggests that you are by default pursuing it and is not coercive.

 - Do not ask for their advice on how to deal with the complaint. This is a staff responsibility.

 - Do not offer them input into penalties. This is the staff's responsibility.

Once something is reported to a staff member, immediately meet with the conference chair and/or event coordinator. The main objectives of this meeting is to find out the following:

 - What happened?

 - Are we doing anything about it?

 - Who is doing those things?

 - When are they doing them?

After the staff meeting and discussion, have a staff member (preferably the conference chair or event coordinator if available) communicate with the alleged harasser. Make sure to inform them of what has been reported about them.

Allow the alleged harasser to give their side of the story to the staff. After this point, if the report stands, let the alleged harasser know what actions will be taken against them.

Some things for the staff to consider when dealing with Code of Conduct offenders:

- Warning the harasser to cease their behavior and that any further reports will result in sanctions

- Requiring that the harasser avoid any interaction with, and physical proximity to, their victim for the remainder of the event

- Ending a talk that violates the policy early

- Not publishing the video or slides of a talk that violated the policy

- Not allowing a speaker who violated the policy to give (further) talks at the event now or in the future

- Immediately ending any event volunteer responsibilities and privileges the harasser holds

- Requiring that the harasser not volunteer for future events your organization runs (either indefinitely or for a certain time period)

- Requiring that the harasser refund any travel grants and similar they received (this would need to be a condition of the grant at the time of being awarded)