Protocol Against Male Agressions

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Introduction

This document was created by Asociación Develop for the International Animation Community Festival of Bilbao - Animakom FEST.

With the intention of preventing and eradicating uncivilized behavior during cultural events, Asociación Develop and the International Animation Community Festival of Bilbao - 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.

Legislative Advances

  • Law 1/2022, of March 3, for the second modification of Law 4/2005 for Equality between Women and Men, which states that the Basque public administrations must promote equality and prevent and eliminate macho violence against women.
  • Basic Self-Protection Regulation (published in the Official State Gazette on March 24, 2007), which establishes the need to have a self-protection and emergency plan.
  • Decree 112/2010, of August 31, approving the Regulation of Public Shows and Recreational Activities, which considers "disrespectful behavior towards other spectators, artists, or establishment personnel" as a serious offense.

Types of Violence

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.

Harassment

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.

Sexual Assaults

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.

Physical Violence

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 FEST, including the volunteer team, have prior knowledge of this protocol.

Protocol

We will name all the necessary points so that everyone can enjoy a free and safe space:

Prevention

In order to promote spaces free from violence, the festival will take different preventive measures:

  • Creation of a specific action protocol that will be known by all employees and workers.
  • This protocol will be visible in different locations at the festival and on social media. Attendees must know how to act in the event that an incident occurs. If any attendee wants to learn more, they can ask the present organizers.
  • Creation of posters and signs clearly showing rejection of sexist, macho, racist, or LGBTQ+phobic aggressions.
  • Signage points to know your location at all times and where the place(s) for assisting the victims are located.

Detection

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).

  • The victim herself informs the responsible individuals.
  • The responsible individuals or the rest of the team and collaborators detect the aggression. In any of these situations, it is important that the responsible individuals are informed (if they are not already).

Public Response

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.

  • Immediate expulsion from the festival of any person who has committed any type of macho aggression.
  • Interruption of the cultural event if any type of aggression occurs and reading a brief statement.
  • General communication within the festival indicating that an aggression has just occurred.
  • Press release after the event.

* Rumors: It is essential to avoid them. Both the name of the victim and the aggressor will be confidential.

Notification

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.

Accompaniment Zone

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.

Area clearly marked by festival members.
It will have the necessary equipment: seating area, first aid kit, restroom, water, etc.

Phones and general resources: