Code of Conduct

The Crue would vastly prefer Kawaiicon to be a harassment-free event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, age, race, or religion. As such, the Crue does not tolerate harassment in any form. Attendees violating these rules will be expelled from the event at the Crue’s discretion, whim, or overall crankiness at having to get up at 4am.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, age, race, religion, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. You’d hope this would be a comprehensive list but the Crue has faith in the inventive genius of random assholes. The original policy also lists “sexual imagery in public places” but we want people to be able to wear Kiwicon 1 and 2 merch without obliging ourselves to kick them out on the spot or start the ‘con with a rollicking case of hypocrisy.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the Crue may take any action they deem appropriate, up and including ejecting you from the rest of the ‘con and pre-emptively banning you from future events. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact us immediately. There should always be volunteers on the merch desk, or any stray person wearing an orange lanyard. You can also flag down a member of the Crue - we’ll be in red lanyards. You can also get one of the event staff - in the regrettable waistcoats - to talk to the venue manager, who will then find us. If all that fails you can email us.

Please note, while we take all concerns raised seriously, we will use our discretion (such as it is) in determining when and how to follow up on reported incidents and may decline to take any further action. All concerns will be recorded.

Event staff will be happy to help participants contact venue/event security or local law enforcement, locate your posse, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference up to and including lending you a pair of giant goth boots and spiked wristbands.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all conference events.