Codes of conduct issues

First SFWA and Mercedes Lackey, then Balticon and Stephanie Burke. Both suddenly ripped out of the program.

In both cases, I feel that the punishment was not only significantly worse than what was alleged in the complaint, but they were given no chance before the punishment was in place. This is punishment before and without trial.

This needs to change.

First, I have zero tolerance for zero tolerance. That phrase implies everyone should be perfect at all times, and outside of fanfic, that does not exist. We’re human. We get tired. We say something different than what we think. People make mistaken assumptions.

Zero tolerance, and punishment after one complaint is, in my view, a violation of the code of conduct by those punishing the accused.

Second, when someone is accused of violating a code of conduct, there needs to be a process. The following are my first thoughts.

1. The accused NEEDS TO BE INFORMED. I, personally, got an apology a few years ago, two weeks after a con, where someone had put in a complaint, and when they finally asked the accuser, they were told it was not me. The apology was the first I knew of anything.

2. The accusation should be by someone the accused will not view as as someone who already dislikes them. That person should, if possible, have at the very least viewed de-escalation videos, as well as have the anti-harassment training.

3. Give them a chance to deny, refute, or apologize, at the first complaint.

4. At a second complaint, the accused needs to be spoken to, in private (not in public forum), by one or more persons who have all known information as to the event.

5. No one should just be pulled out before a third complaint, and that after neither an apology or denial from the accused.

 

2 comments

Leave a comment