Diversity and Inclusion Statement
A core aim of Woollinn is to build a welcoming, safe and inclusive event that caters to our unique and diverse community. To further this aim we have created a Code of Conduct and Anti-Harrassment Policy to guide and encourage safe and secure relationships between all Participants at the Festival.
We wish to celebrate and encourage differences in age, colour, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, neurodiversity, language, physical and mental ability, race, religion, sexual identity or sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.
Woollinn’s diversity and inclusion policies are applicable – but not limited – to our practices and policies on vendor and special guest selection; venue accessibility; social event programming; volunteer recruitment and volunteer training.
Code of Conduct
Woollinn is dedicated to providing a harassment-free festival experience for all Participants, regardless of ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual identity or sexual orientation, neurodiversity, disability, physical or mental ability, race, age, socio-economic status, religion, or preferred craft (this list is not exhaustive).
The term “Participants” includes – but is not limited to – members of the organising team, volunteers, vendors, visitors, tutors, demonstrators, speakers, special guests and sponsors.
All Woollinn Participants have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect at all times.
Woollinn is a family-friendly event, so please consider this in your conduct.
Any Participant who is found to have exhibited any inappropriate conduct or behaviour against others may be removed from the festival site.
Behaviour that will be considered harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Intimidation, stalking, or following
- Unwelcome physical contact
- Unwelcome sexual attention
- Comments intended to belittle, offend, or cause discomfort
- Photographing or videoing members without their consent
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour
We require all Participants to follow this code of conduct in online interactions with representatives of Woollinn, and with fellow Participants, and at all festival venues and festival-related social activities.
Any Participant who believes they have been subjected to any kind of discrimination that conflicts with Woollinn’s Code of Conduct should seek assistance from a member of the Visitor Support Team.
The Visitor Support Team is a sub-set of the Woollinn Volunteer Team whose mandate is to receive reports on potential violations of the Code of Conduct. They can escalate issues appropriately, discuss them in a totally confidential manner, and/or act as mediators, according to the wishes of the person raising the issue.
Before the festival: you can report harassment or other Code of Conduct violations by email to hello@woollinn.com
At the festival: If someone has harassed you or breached this Code of Conduct in any way, or if you have witnessed or become aware that harassment or a Code of Conduct breach has taken place, please ask that person or persons to stop – as long as it is safe to do so – and if you feel comfortable enough to make the request. To help us identify patterns of behaviour and possible repeat offenders, we would be grateful if you would also report the harassment as set out below.
If you do not want to speak to the person(s) directly, or if you engage with them and the harassment or Code of Conduct breach does not stop, please report the issue as soon as possible to a member of the Visitor Support Team. Members of the Visitor Support Team can be identified at the festival by a unique badge, the artwork of which will be published shortly before the festival, for ease of identification.
The Information Desk at Woollinn will always be staffed by a member of the Visitor Support Team, while other Team Members will be present throughout the venue.
We wish for everyone to have a safe and enjoyable festival, so please do speak to us and make us aware of any matter falling within the terms of this policy that requires attention.
What will happen if you make a report?
When taking an in-person report, our Visitor Support Team will first ensure that you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve members of the organising team to ensure your report is managed properly. Once you are safe, we’ll ask you to tell us about what happened, and what you would like to happen next. We understand this can be upsetting, but we’ll handle it as respectfully as possible and do everything we can to support you. You can also bring another person to support you if you wish.
If you submit a report by email, a member of the organising team will respond to you as quickly as possible, and proceed at their discretion, based on the content, context and wishes expressed in your email.
However you choose to report an issue, you will not be asked to confront anyone, and we will do our best to protect your identity if we take action as a result of your report. Details of your complaint will only be disclosed to the team who are dealing with it. We will keep you advised of the progress we’re making in handling the issue, and of any action we decide to take. We will take into account your views when deciding on that action.
However, please be aware that, if you report a serious criminal matter, or we believe that you or someone else may be in danger, we may need to contact the police. We would take into account any concerns you may have around involving them.
The organising team of Woollinn has the right to take any actions needed to keep our event a welcoming environment for all Participants. Measures taken may include warning the offender, mediating solutions between parties, or taking any other action the team considers necessary, up to and including expulsion from the festival with no refund, at our discretion.
If you wish to take further steps following your report and our response, our team will be happy to help you contact hotel/venue security, local police, local support services, or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the run-up to and duration of the festival. Above all, we want you to feel valued, safe and included at Woollinn.
