Cyber Fire is dedicated to providing a harassment-free event experience for everyone regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any event venue, including talks, training, or social activities. Event participants violating these rules may be expelled from the event at the discretion of the event organizers.

Harassment includes but is not limited to:

Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion.
Sexual images in public spaces.
Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following.
Harassing photography or recording.
Sustained disruption of talks or other events.
Inappropriate physical contact.
Unwelcome sexual attention.
Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.

Enforcement

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Vendor tables and other Cyber Fire partners are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, vendors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material. Vendor staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event.

Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities. We think people should follow these rules outside event activities too!

Reporting

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Staff can be identified by special badges. Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone. We want you to be happy at our event. People like you make our event a better place.

You can make a report either anonymously or personally.

Personal Report

You can make a personal report by:

Contacting any staff member, identified by “Staff” badges.
Calling or messaging +1-505-500-4666 (please use Signal if possible). This phone number will be continuously monitored for the duration of the event.

When taking a personal report, our staff will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve other event staff to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we’ll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we’ll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You won’t be asked to confront anyone and we won’t tell anyone who you are.

Our team will be happy to help you contact hotel/venue security, local law enforcement, local support services, provide escorts, or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.

Anonymous Report

You can make an anonymous report without providing an email address.

We can’t follow up an anonymous report with you directly, but we will fully investigate it and take whatever action is necessary to prevent a recurrence.

Make an anonymous report

Internal Policy for Event Staff

Warnings

Any member of event staff can issue a verbal warning to a participant that their behavior violates the event’s anti-harassment policy.

Warnings should be reported to the event host as soon as practical. The report should include:

Identifying information of the participant
The time you issued the warning
The behavior that was in violation
The approximate time of the behavior (if different than the time of warning)
The circumstances surrounding the incident
Your identity
Other people involved in the incident

Presentations

Presentations or similar events should not be stopped for one-time gaffes or minor problems, although a member of event staff should speak to the presenter afterward. However, staff should take immediate action to politely and calmly stop any presentation or event that repeatedly or seriously violate the anti-harassment policy. For example, simply say “I’m sorry, this presentation cannot be continued at the present time” with no further explanation.

Taking Reports

When taking a report from someone experiencing harassment you should record what they say and reassure them they are being taken seriously, but avoid making specific promises about what actions the organizers will take. Ask for any other information if the reporter has not volunteered it (such as time, place) but do not pressure them to provide it if they are reluctant. Even if the report lacks important details such as the identity of the person taking the harassing actions, it should still be recorded and passed along to the appropriate staff member(s). If the reporter desires it, arrange for an escort by event staff or a trusted person, contact a friend, and contact local law enforcement. Do not pressure the reporter to take any action if they do not want to do it. Respect the reporter’s privacy by not sharing unnecessary details with others, especially individuals who were not involved with the situation or non-staff members.

Expulsion

Any staff member has the right to give out warnings to any participant that is violating any of the rules. A participant may be expelled by the event host after consulting with senior staff. Here are some general guidelines for when a participant should be expelled:

A third offense resulting in a warning from staff
Continuing to harass after any “No” or “Stop” instruction
A pattern of harassing behavior, with or without warnings
A single serious offense (e.g., punching or groping someone)
A single obviously intentional offense (e.g., taking up-skirt photos)

Hotel/venue security and local authorities should be contacted when appropriate.

Public Statements

As a general rule, event staff should not make any public statements about the behavior of individual people during or after the event.

In general, consult with other staff members when possible but act when necessary.