This document was created by Asociación Develop for the Bilbao International Animation Community Festival - ANIMAKOM FEST.
With the intention of preventing and eradicating uncivilized behavior during cultural events, Asociación Develop and the Bilbao International Animation Community Festival - ANIMAKOM FEST present, for the first time, the official protocol for action against macho, racist, or LGBTQ+phobic attitudes.
This document is a guide of initial considerations to reflect on the ways in which aggressions manifest themselves in cultural events. To this end, this document will define and enumerate a series of measures that will allow us to create a path free from constraints.
Culture is a right, as well as an important asset with a strong symbolic character in the construction of equality. It has a mass dissemination and, like other spheres of public life, it is a space in which we must constantly work to avoid reproducing stereotypes or conveying other misleading messages.
The protocol consists of several parts. First, we will review the current legislative advances, followed by the identification of different types of violence, and finally, the defense protocol to be followed during the festival.
In addition, both the association and the festival provide a space of safety and trust so that all individuals, in the event of experiencing an incident of this nature, have tools for personal and collective defense.
It is important to clearly differentiate the different forms in which violence can manifest itself in order for the response and action measures to be proportional and respectful of the victims' capacity to respond, with the aim of not re-victimizing them. Furthermore, classifying the types of violence can also be useful for unifying criteria for action among all individuals involved in the necessary tasks to carry out these events.
It involves a series of unwanted verbal or non-verbal behaviors of a sexual nature with the purpose or effect of attacking the dignity of individuals, particularly when creating a hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.
These are all attacks that violate another person's sexual freedom through the use of violence or intimidation. Specifically, those assaults directed at subjecting or degrading the person through their sexuality. These will be punished as responsible for sexual assault with imprisonment.
Intentional physical injuries inflicted on the victim that cause harm.
Next, we will explain how the protocol will be implemented.
IMPORTANT: It is absolutely essential that all individuals who are part of ANIMAKOM, including the volunteer team, have prior knowledge of this protocol.
We will name all the necessary points so that everyone can enjoy a free and safe space:
In order to promote spaces free from violence, the festival will take different preventive measures:
When a companion, friend of the victim, or witness to the aggression informs the responsible individuals, whether by phone or in person. (It could also be the case that they address the bar or someone from the organizing team and the venue itself).
It is important to publicly reject the aggression as a preventive measure and as a way to firmly declare the rejection of this type of behavior. However, we must always agree with the victim if she wishes to do so or not.
* Rumors: It is essential to avoid them. Both the name of the victim and the aggressor will be confidential.
The responsible individual will communicate with the aggressor. In case of a very serious aggression, direct contact will be made with the competent authority and, if necessary, with the health services.
An accompanying area will be set up for the victims. A space of comfort where they can feel safe and be attended to by the responsible individual. Waiting for the person to calm down and be able to explain themselves calmly.