Promoting a Safe and Inclusive Dance Community
We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment at our events and classes. While the principles outlined here may seem obvious, we want to emphasize their importance and encourage everyone to reflect upon them. This code of conduct aims to ensure that all participants can enjoy their dance experiences and are respected during our activities. As a participant in our activities, whether as an attendant, instructor, judge, performer, volunteer, or staff, we expect that you acquaint yourself with and adhere to our code of conduct.
- Mutual Respect and Consideration: Our events provide a welcoming space for everyone to experience and share the joy of dance, regardless of age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, physical appearance, religion, or abilities. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment—verbal, physical, or psychological—on or off the dance floor. As a participant, I respect others’ boundaries and differences, whether related to personal space, physical contact, dance style, or consent to more advanced movements. If I misjudge boundaries and am asked to stop what I’m doing, either verbally or non-verbally (such as with a facial expression or a body language cue), I stop immediately.
- Safety: Both on and off the dance floor, I take responsibility for everybody’s safety and avoid collisions and injuries. I am aware of the diverse physical abilities among participants and pay attention to my partner to ensure they are comfortable. If my partner tells me that a particular movement is uncomfortable or causes pain, I apologise and refrain from doing the movement again, even if I don’t understand the reasons. If accidental inappropriate touching or collisions occur, I apologize and check with the other person(s) to ensure their well-being.
- Being a Respectful Dance Partner: I understand that our social dances create an opportunity for me to establish an inviting and tolerant environment where everyone feels welcome. I strive to make the dance a positive experience for both parties, adapting the dance to my partner’s level and abilities. Saying “yes” to a dance means dancing together for one song, but it is okay to dance to more songs if both partners agree. Usually, people will happily accept an invitation to dance, but it is also okay to say “no.” If I am turned down for a dance, I respect that decision and find someone else to dance with instead.
- Self-Care, Hygiene, and Health: I am mindful of and take responsibility for my well-being and personal needs. I avoid strong odours, maintain good personal hygiene, and refrain from participating if I am ill. I inform the organizer of any specific needs, such as language difficulties, hearing problems, diabetes, epilepsy, or allergies, to create a safe and healthy environment. By being proactive, I contribute to an inclusive experience for all participants and help the organizer address any special needs.
- Participation in Classes and Workshops: When participating in classes, I try to follow the teachers’ instructions and do the exercises as shown to provide the best conditions for myself and my dance partner. I don’t give unsolicited feedback to my dance partner unless requested and am aware that we may be at different stages in our learning. If I am unsure how to perform the instructed moves, I ask the instructor.
- Respect for Equipment and Venues: I use provided equipment and venues where we train and hold events responsibly. By avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on floors and surfaces, I contribute to the club’s good reputation and enable future events to take place in a well-maintained and pleasant environment.
- Seeking Help and Support: If any concerns arise, I can always turn to the clubs’s representatives, such as course leaders, event organizers, or the board, for assistance. This includes situations where something doesn’t feel right or if I observe or experience something that may pose a risk to anyone’s mental or physical health. As representatives of the association, we promptly follow up and help participants feel secure during our activities.
Consequences: I recognize that these guidelines are crucial for creating a safe and enjoyable dance environment. Inappropriate behaviour, including violations of this code of conduct or Swedish legislation, will result in consequences. These may include discussions with club representatives, written documentation, exclusion from events (without refunds), temporary suspensions, and/or police reports depending on the severity and repetition of the behaviour. As organizers, we also kindly ask all participants to acknowledge that we cannot cover all situations in a document like this; we encourage everyone to exercise their judgment and use their common sense to contribute to a safe and secure dance environment.