STEPS CODE – SAFETY, TRUST, ENGAGEMENT,
PREVENTION, SUPPORT
Safety in Swing Dance and the ‘STEPS’ code take strides to be there for anyone in need
At Late Night Lindy we have chosen to adopt the STEPS Code of Conduct. STEPS has been adopted by a consortium of organisations in the North/Midlands and we also want to show our commitment to providing safe dance spaces.
We believe that the Lindy Hop world is already welcoming, supportive (and awesome!) and that instances of inappropriate behaviour are rare.
Our Code of Conduct is designed to acknowledge that we all have a responsibility to build safety into events, and to contribute to the wellbeing of the whole community. We love to dance, and we want you to love it too.
Guidelines for Being Good People
The following good people guidelines apply to EVERYONE attending a STEPS Code event, including members of staff, volunteers and visiting dancers:
1. We will be NICE to everyone and treat all people with respect. We will not harass anyone. We will not discriminate according to sex, gender expression or sexual orientation, nor race, religion, or nationality. We will treat everyone equally, regardless of age, ability, physical appearance, lifestyle, dance experience or dance role.
2. We will be INCLUSIVE and invite others to dance, and we will be gracious if turned down. We may say no without giving a reason, but we will be polite when doing so and if we promise to dance later on, we will honour that promise.
3. We will be RESPONSIBLE for our own physical safety and that of others nearby. We will practice safe floor-craft and say sorry if we accidentally bump another person. We will not offer unsolicited advice or instruction, nor perform aerials on the social floor. If we consume alcohol we will do so responsibly, and if we are drunk enough to pose a risk to ourselves or others, we will leave the dance floor and retire to the bar.
4. We will take CARE of our own personal hygiene, and bring towels, spare clothing and extra deodorant if necessary. We will be considerate when choosing our clothing, footwear, and accessories and we will not wear anything that is potentially hazardous to ourselves or to others.
5. We will be RESPECTFUL and acknowledge that the personal boundaries of others may not be the same as our own. We will be mindful of the appropriateness of language that some may find offensive. We will not touch anyone without consent and we will apologise immediately if we unintentionally touch a person’s private areas.
6. We UNDERSTAND that following the above guidelines ensures a better experience for everyone and that participating in any kind of verbal, physical or sexual abuse will have consequences. This may include, but is not limited to, being asked to leave without refund and exclusion from future events.
7. We, the organisers, PROMISE to treat any reports made, from dancers in our home scenes or elsewhere, with sensitivity and to keep all details as confidential as is possible (however, in the event of a police investigation, all information will become disclosable).
*We encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed intimidating or inappropriate behaviour to tell an organiser.
At Late Night Lindy your suggested points of contact are Rosemary (Rose) Mansfield (mansfieldrosemary[at]gmail.com). If you prefer to talk in person, or would prefer to speak to another member of staff, you are welcome to do so at any point throughout the year. All members of the Late Night Lindy Committee are open and willing to listen to any concerns you have.
*committee photo coming soon - so you can see who we mean!*
Committee members: Steven Luland, Amanda Chang, James Overton, George Jackson, Rosemary Mansfield
Usually at each Late Night Lindy we have one or two volunteers on duty. They will be easy to spot - they will be wearing volunteer badges (the committee will also wear volunteer badges). You are able to speak to a volunteer if you have any issues, who will find a committee member for you to speak to.
If you’d rather speak to someone outside of our immediate group, all of the people listed here are ready to listen.
Safety People are available for discussion and reassurance, not just formal reports – please do tell us about your concerns, even small ones – we’re here for you!
Safety in Swing Dance organisers and teachers will happily provide support to anyone experiencing problematic behaviours in the Swing dance scene, not just our own dancers and students, see the entire Safety in Swing Dance website for more details.
We extend the offer of support for anyone with concerns about their safety in swing dance across Nottingham; including those who are visiting the city and who do not attend Late Night Lindy events.
