Awareness at events at LUH

Awarness means to be aware of and informed about certain issues of behavior. In general awarness focuses on a mindful and respectful dealing with each other. The main part of events concerning awarness  is to offer safe spaces and contact persons in case of discrimination or unrespectful treatment. All members of LUH should follow the central guidelines: abusive and discriminatory behavior as well as not respecting personal boundaries will not tolerated.

Awareness is an approach that emerged from the feminist and queer movement in 2007. The approach is intersectional and takes into account multiple affected persons.

The main goals of awarness work and awarness concepts are:

• to create a non-discriminatory space
• to strenghten the consciousness about emotional border-crossing 
• to work against structural inequalities so that all people can feel save at events like workshops, meetings, conferences, lecture weeks and parties

Principles of awarness work are:

• It focuses on the needs and wellbeing of people who are searching for support. Solidarity is the top priority.
• Individual boundaries of all should be respected at any time.
• Power of definition: Only the person concerned decides when an assaultive situation has occurred and only they have the right to decide how to proceed after the incident.
• Assaultive, abusive and discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated.

Events can be made safer through an awareness concept and at the same time help to raise awareness of border crossings.

It is useful to think about the following questions and points in advance of an event to promote respectful and safe interactions:

• Which people are expected at the event?
• What needs do this people have?
• Do all rooms have a barrier-free acces?
• Plan an awareness team: Who could do this? How can it be made visible? 
• Are there security personnel? If so, the staff should also be aware of the awareness concept and know the awareness team.
• Provide a retreat room: A retreat room does not necessarily only have to be used when a specific incident has occurred. The retreat room can also be used if people are not feeling well for other reasons and need a break.
• Provide information for the journey home: Plans for the city railway, taxi companies, number for the women's night taxi
• Non-discriminatory advertising for the event: sexist or discriminatory language or motifs will not be tolerated
• Provide tap water free of charge, if possible

The goal is to create a safer space for all.

Important: The awarness concept should be published in time (preferably in different languages). It has to be visible for all people at the event and should also inform about the awareness team. E.g. "You can recognise our awareness team by the blue T-shirts with the green lettering". 

The awareness team ensures that active action is taken against discriminatory or abusive behaviour. The awareness team also supports the people concerned if they need help. 

The following applies:

• The awareness team provides support in the event of incidents and protects the people affected. However, it also acts preventively and monitors events. 
• The team is familiar with the awareness concept of the event, knows all the important contact persons for the event and advice centres and is ideally familiar with the premises. 
• The responsibilities for any different areas or topics are defined.
• The more diverse the team is, the more those potentially affected can identify with the team and the more likely they are to report assaults. At the same time, a clear signal is sent out. We recommend: The team has at least equal representation. At least one FINTA* person should be on the team.
• If alcohol is served: The awareness team remains sober.
• Accessibility: The awareness team should always be reachable and visible, for example through notices or specific clothing, eye-catching wristbands or buttons. Ideally, the team should always walk through the premises and show their presence. 
• Important: If the team itself does not feel safe or overwhelmed in a situation, support should be sought or responsibility should be handed over. 

Notice: 

Ideally, the people in the awareness team are trained and can provide direct support and advice. However, untrained staff can also form an awareness team as long as this is communicated transparently. These teams then provide what is known as "referral counselling": they are the first point of contact for incidents but do not provide counselling themselves, instead referring people to the relevant counselling centres and support services.

FINTA* means women, inter, non-binary, trans and agender*. It is a description which tries to find an expression for people who identify as not cis male.

Awareness-guideline  Autonomes Feministisches Kollektiv and SB-Stelle Frauen-und Geschlechterpolitik of AStA at Leibniz University.

act aware: initiative for more awareness during events

Initiative Awareness: consultation, supervision and education concerning sexualized violence and discirmination during events

Safe the Dance: Agency for Awareness, Inclusion, Diversity & music business Know-how