Safety, Consent, and Inclusion

Jazz Dance Junction is dedicated to creating safe and comfortable spaces for everyone regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation, dis/ability, body size, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), nationality, dance skill level, or dance role. It is our collective responsibility to foster these kinds of spaces and we expect everyone in attendance at our events to abide by our values and code of conduct.

We are specifically dedicated to fostering a community free from oppression, harassment, abuse, and violence. See the Protocol of intervention for concrete examples and definitions of problematic behaviour that go against our values.

We understand that offense or harm can occur accidentally or without malintent. Each person is nonetheless responsible for their own behavior. When harm has been done, we each have a responsibility to reflect on our own actions and make the situation right as best we can.

If you participate in our events, we ask you to respect these values. Anyone violating these values may be warned, sanctioned, or expelled from the event without a refund. In serious cases, JDJ may prohibit someone from returning to future events. If you have any questions about our Safety policies, please contact jazzdancejunction@gmail.com.

Code of Conduct

These values apply to all of our events and programming, although some points are specifically in reference to social dance situations.

Scented products can cause serious allergic reactions and respiratory distress. Please avoid wearing any scented products at our events.

Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited at our events. If you consume before coming to our dances, know your limits and ensure you are not too intoxicated to dance in a way that is comfortable and safe for others.

• Ask as many people as you’d like to dance! If they refuse, be gracious; everyone has the right to decline a dance for any reason and do not need to explain why.
• Always ask for verbal consent before dancing with someone.
• Some people follow, some people lead, and some people do both; keep that in mind and respect their choice.
• Be attentive to your dance partner and their comfort, boundaries, and safety. If you are not sure, ask them if they are ok.
• Be attentive to people around you. If you bump into someone else, ensure they are alright and apologize.
• Never do aerials, acrobatics, or drops (where a person takes the weight of another) on the social dance floor.
• Do not use the social dance as a “pick up joint”. Although flirtation may occur it’s your responsibility to not make others feel uncomfortable. Always ask for consent and respect whatever answer you receive.
• Do not correct others’ dancing unless you were specifically asked for feedback or if their dancing may cause an injury. If you are in a situation where you are giving someone feedback, please tell them in a way that is respectful and constructive.

If someone tells you that you have hurt them, made them feel uncomfortable, or that they’re worried something you’re doing might hurt them or others, don’t take it badly. They’re telling you something about their comfort level, which is different for everyone; they are not criticizing you as a person. They are telling you because they want you to fix it so they can keep dancing with you. Listen, apologize, thank them for letting you know, and don’t do it again.

Who to talk to

Our General Manager, Robin Treleaven is always available to help with any issue or concern, no matter how big or small. She can be reached at jazzdancejunction@gmail.com.

If you are looking to speak with someone else involved with the organization you can also contact our Board of Directors at jdjboard@gmail.com.

Protocol of intervention

Jazz Dance Junction uses this Protocol of intervention to respond to any complaints we receive. We will treat these issues with the strictest confidentiality. We hope to create an event, community and culture in which everyone will feel safe enough to come forward, so we can keep incidents from being repeated and, eventually, from happening in the first place.

If you have any concerns, no matter how small, please get in contact with us.