Bear Creek Folk Festival

Harassment Prevention Policy

Harassment Prevention Policy and Code of Conduct

The Bear Creek Folk Music Festival Society is committed to a healthy, harassment-free environment for everyone involved in our community. We have developed a society-wide policy intended to prevent harassment of any type, including sexual harassment, and to deal quickly and effectively with any incident that might occur.

Code of Conduct

The Bear Creek Folk Music Festival Society expects all attendees, volunteers, artists, crew, contractors, and guests to contribute to a safe, welcoming, and respectful festival environment. We require everyone to treat others with dignity, respect the festival grounds and property, and comply with all festival rules and instructions from staff and security. Any behavior that jeopardizes the safety, enjoyment, or well-being of others – including but not limited to harassment, disorderly conduct, excessive intoxication, theft, non-compliance with safety protocols, or general disruptive behavior – contradicts our community values. Failure to uphold this Code of Conduct may result in immediate revocation of festival access (wristbands/badges), removal from the site, and potential exclusion from future events.

Harassment: All harassment is prohibited whether it takes place within the festival’s premises or outside, including at social events, concerts, training sessions, or other activities hosted or sponsored by the Bear Creek Folk Music Festival Society.

Policy

1. Scope and Application

This policy applies to everyone present at the festival or involved in society business. This explicitly includes:

  • Attendees / General Public
  • Guests
  • Volunteers, including leads and coordinators
  • Artists
  • Vendors
  • Contractors
  • Employees

 

2. Definitions of Harassment

The Bear Creek Folk Music Festival Society will not tolerate any form of harassment, including but not limited to: verbal or physical abuse, threats, derogatory remarks, jokes, innuendo, or taunts related to any individual’s race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status, or sexual orientation.

We will not tolerate:

  • The display of pornographic, racist, or offensive signs or images.
  • Offensive jokes based on race, gender, or other grounds protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act.
  • Unwelcome invitations or requests, whether indirect or explicit.

Human Rights Context: Harassment covered under the Alberta Human Rights Act occurs when an individual is subjected to unwelcome verbal or physical conduct based on the protected grounds listed above. The behaviour need not be intentional in order to be considered harassment.

A. Definition of Sexual Harassment

The Alberta Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on gender, which includes protection from sexual harassment. Unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other unwanted verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

  • Submission is made a term or condition of an individual’s standing in the society/festival;
  • Rejection of such conduct affects that individual’s standing; or
  • It creates an environment which is hostile, intimidating, uncomfortable, or humiliating.

Examples: Unwelcome physical contact (pinching, stroking, kissing), leering, whistling, “dirty” jokes, requests of a sexual nature, or repeated unwanted social invitations.

Anyone can be a victim of sexual harassment, regardless of their gender and the gender of the harasser. All harassment is offensive and in many cases it intimidates others. It will not be tolerated within our society.

3. Removal and Appeals

The Festival prioritizes the immediate safety and comfort of our community. If a violation of our policies or code of conduct occurs, authorized Festival Leadership and Security personnel have the authority to remove individuals from the site.

  • Immediate Removal: Individuals found violating this policy may have their access revoked immediately. This includes the removal of wristbands or badges and ejection from the festival grounds, either temporarily or for the duration of the event.
  • Bans: Serious or repeated violations may result in a permanent ban from future Bear Creek Folk Music Festival Society events.
  • Appeal Process: Any individual who is removed from the festival or subject to sanctions has the right to appeal the decision. The Society will review the circumstances of the removal and the investigation findings to render a final decision on the matter. Appeals can be made to: appeal@bearcreekfolkfest.org

 

4. How to Proceed if You are Being Harassed

  1. If you are being harassed, or if you witness harassment:
  1. Direct Action (Optional): If possible and safe, tell the harasser that their behaviour is unwelcome and ask them to stop.
  2. Record Details: Try to make a note of dates, times, locations, witnesses, and what happened.
  3. You Can Report It: If you are uncomfortable approaching the harasser, or if the harassment is ongoing, report the problem immediately to:
    • For Volunteers/Crew: Your Crew Coordinator, Team Leader, or the Safety & Security Team Lead, Volunteer Manager, Festival Producer, or Assistant Producer
    • For Attendees/Guests/Others: Any Safety and Security member. If necessary, they will contact the appropriate personnel

If you feel you have been or are being harassed and you wish to initiate a complaint, you can do so either verbally or in writing to the above personnel. Upon receipt of a complaint, the matter will be kept confidential. The Society will assign a Designated Person to handle the claim, who will then interview the complainant to ascertain the desired outcome and determine if the matter should proceed through the informal or formal process.

B. Informal Complaint Process

The Informal Process focuses on resolution and stopping the behavior without a full investigation. If the complainant wishes this process, the designated person will:

  1. Notify: Give the alleged harasser an opportunity to respond to the complaint and ensure they understand the informal process.
  2. Facilitate: Facilitate a discussion between both parties to achieve a resolution acceptable to the complainant, OR discuss the resolution with the alleged harasser independently if the complainant does not wish to be present.
  3. Record: Ensure a confidential record is kept of the discussion and the agreed-upon resolution.
  4. Follow-up: Check in after the process to ensure the behavior has stopped.

C. Formal Complaint Process

A formal process is required if the informal process fails, if the complainant requests it, or if the Society deems the incident serious enough to warrant it. During a formal process, the designated person will:

  1. Investigation: Interview the complainant, the alleged harasser, and any relevant witnesses or third parties separately.
  2. Reporting: Produce a report detailing the investigation, findings, and recommendations.
  3. Action: Decide if sanctions are necessary.
    • Sanctions: May include verbal/written warnings, reduction in wages (for staff), transfer, suspension, dismissal, or a permanent ban from the festival.
    • Serious Incidents: Serious cases, including physical violence, will result in immediate dismissal/removal. If deemed warranted, appropriate authorities shall be notified.
  4. Documentation: Document the incident in the harasser’s file (if applicable). No documentation will be placed on the complainant’s file when the complaint is made in good faith.

 

5. External Complaints & Human Rights

Nothing in this policy prevents an individual from pursuing a complaint outside of the society. You have the right to contact the Alberta Human Rights Commission or the police.

Alberta Human Rights Commission

The Alberta Human Rights Commission is an independent commission of the Government of Alberta. Its mandate is to foster equality and reduce discrimination. It provides public information and education programs, and helps Albertans resolve human rights complaints.

Hours of operation: 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (holidays excluded)

Northern Regional Office (Edmonton)

800 – 10405 Jasper Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4R7

780-427-7661 Confidential Inquiry Line / 780-427-6013 Fax

Southern Regional Office (Calgary)

200 J.J. Bowlen Building
620 – 7 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0Y8

403-297-6571 Confidential Inquiry Line / 403-297-6567 Fax

To call toll-free within Alberta, dial 310-0000 and then enter the area code and phone number.

TTY service for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing

1-800-232-7215 Toll-free within Alberta

Email: humanrights@gov.ab.ca

Website: https://albertahumanrights.ab.ca

Please note: The Commission must receive a completed complaint form or letter within one year after the alleged contravention of the Alberta Human Rights Act. The one-year period starts the day after the date on which the alleged contravention of the Act occurred. For help calculating the one-year period, contact the Commission.

The Commission will make this publication available in accessible formats upon request for people with disabilities who do not read conventional print.

6. Contact Information

Bear Creek Folk Music Festival Society