SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY & PROCEDURES

POLICY STATEMENT

Sexual misconduct, including, but not limited to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, by any player who is a member of the Dystopia Rising: Texas community is a violation of both state and federal law as well as community policy and will not be tolerated by Dystopia Rising: Texas.

Dystopia Rising: Texas considers sexual misconduct a very serious issue and shall uphold the policies and process described here.

DEFINITION OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Sexual misconduct is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.

Sexual misconduct can be committed by any person and it can occur between people of the same or different gender. Sexual misconduct includes but is not limited to:

Uncertain about the line between appropriate and inappropriate conduct? Please watch Consent is Tea.

CONFIDENTIALITY

When responding to a complaint, Dystopia Rising: Texas will make reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality. All parties to the complaint will be asked to treat the matter confidentially. However, there can be no guarantee of confidentiality and anonymity and the Directors may share information where necessary to provide accommodations or protective measures.

Dystopia Rising: Texas will always work toward an outcome that maintains the safety of the community. Whenever possible, we will work to align that outcome with the survivor’s wishes.

PROTECTIVE MEASURES

There are a range of protective measures Dystopia Rising: Texas may take following an allegation of sexual misconduct such as:  

  • instituting the “No-Contact” Policy;

  • suspending the perpetrator from Dystopia Rising events;

  • alerting neighboring chapters to the investigation and/or

  • issuing a Refusal of Service for Dystopia Rising: Texas events.

FILING OF FALSE REPORTS

A grievant whose complaint is found to be both false and to have been made with malicious intent will be subject to disciplinary action which may include suspension or a Refusal of Service for Dystopia Rising: Texas events.

PROHIBITION ON RETALIATION

Retaliation against any person for filing, supporting, or cooperating with a sexual misconduct investigation in good faith is strictly prohibited. Examples of retaliation include harassment, intimidation, threats, or coercion. Any person who feels they have been subjected to retaliation should make a report to the Dystopia Rising: Texas Conflict Resolution Team.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CLAIMS

Individuals who believe they have been subjected to sexual misconduct should report the incident promptly to a Dystopia Rising: Texas Guide who will escalate it to the appropriate staff member.

Once a report is given the following steps will be taken:

  1. The individuals and willing witnesses will be taken out of play so staff can speak with them. The staff’s goal is to determine if a policy was violated, and if that violation was knowing or unknowing.

  2. Staff will enact protective measures they believe are appropriate to the violation.

  3. Staff will inform the victim what steps have been taken when possible. Sometimes staff will not publicize what protective measures were enacted. This choice is made to protect the privacy of both victim and perpetrator and to allow the perpetrator to correct their behavior without being exiled from the community when reform is possible.

REFERENCES

This policy was built in collaboration with our good friends from DR:AR and DR:OK.