our safeguarding policy statement

Steam Down & #SDWEEKLY are committed to creating spaces that are safe, respectful, and joyful.

Safeguarding at our events means preventing harm, responding proportionately to concerns, and protecting the wider community.

We are not investigators or arbiters of guilt. Our role is to manage behaviour, risk, and safety within our events and spaces.

OUR CULTURE & MANTRA

Our safeguarding approach is rooted in the long-standing values of our community:

  • Conflicts, intense discussions, or personal issues should not take place on the dancefloor or in communal areas.

  • Staff may ask individuals to step outside or take space to de-escalate.

1. If you want to talk… go outside!

  • No gossip, intimidation, surveillance, harassment, or behaviour intended to undermine, control, or distress others.

  • This includes DISCRIMINATION, monitoring someone’s movements, repeated observation, or seeking information about others through staff or attendees.

2. No badmind business

  • Fun requires safety.

  • Behaviour that creates fear, tension, or harm - regardless of intent - undermines the space and will be addressed.

3. Have fun

SCOPE OF SAFEGUARDING

  • This policy applies to all attendees, staff, freelancers, DJs, and volunteers.

  • We respond to:

    • Behaviour at our events

    • Conduct that affects safety within our spaces

  • We do not investigate incidents that occur outside our events, but we may take safeguarding steps if off-site behaviour raises risk within our spaces.

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns can be raised:

Reports will be:

  • Taken seriously

  • Recorded factually

  • Handled confidentially on a need-to-know basis

Our Response to Concerns

We may:

  • Speak to individuals about conduct

  • Set behavioural expectations or boundaries

  • Apply attendance conditions

  • Separate individuals

  • Temporarily or permanently restrict access

These actions:

  • Are not findings of guilt

  • Are based on risk and safety

  • May be taken even where police or other processes exist

POLICE & EXTERNAL PROCESSES

  • Individuals may choose to involve the police

  • Where we are aware of police involvement, we may adjust safeguarding measures

  • We will not share details or make judgements about external processes

Behavioural Expectations

At #SDWEEKLY events:

  • No DISCRIMINATION, harassment, stalking, or unwanted attention

  • No monitoring, tracking, or repeated observation of others

  • No direct or indirect contact where boundaries are set

  • Respect staff instructions immediately

Failure to comply may result in removal or exclusion.

fairness & consistency

  • Safeguarding measures are applied consistently

  • Parallel boundaries may be placed on multiple parties

  • Decisions are documented and reviewed

Complaints & Review

  • Concerns about safeguarding decisions can be raised formally

  • We will review whether procedures were followed, not re-investigate allegations

  • Our priority remains community safety

Staff & Freelancer Responsibilities

All staff and freelancers must:

  • Uphold this policy

  • Model respectful behaviour

  • Escalate safeguarding concerns promptly

  • Avoid gossip or speculation