Code Of Conduct

What is this Code of Conduct about, and who is it for?

This Code of Conduct is a guide that makes sure that we are on the same page about how we treat one another as members of Adelaide’s swing and blues dance community. This applies to everyone participating in events hosted by Swing Dance Adelaide, including: attendees, teachers, DJs, organisers, event managers, tech crews, volunteers, musicians and performers. It also applies to participation in our online spaces, including our social media platforms and website. 

If you need help, require medical assistance, are made to feel unsafe, threatened, or wish to make the organisers aware of inappropriate behaviour, contact us. If you are at a Swing Dance Adelaide event, seek our on duty Safety Officer, or an SDA committee member. Alternatively, you may contacts us via our website or email.

We are all welcome

• You are welcome here regardless of your level of dance experience or ability, age, gender/gender identity, religion, disability, or physical appearance.

We look after one another

• Be mindful of your language. Sexist, racist, misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, or ableist language is not accepted.
• Respect other people’s personal and physical boundaries. Do not touch people without their express permission. Stop touching someone immediately, if they ask you to stop.
• Harassment is not tolerated. If you harass someone we may ask you to leave the event, ban you from future Swing Dance Adelaide events, or notify the police.

Your safety is important

• Look after yourself and others on the dance floor. Be aware of other dancers around you.
• Save tricks and aerials for competitions and jam circles. Make sure you have your partner’s consent every time you perform them. Do not use them on the social floor.
• Accidents happen. Remember to apologise, make sure people are okay, and get help from the First Aid Officer on duty if you need to.

Consent matters

• You can say ‘No thanks’ to anybody asking for a dance. It is also okay to opt out in the middle of a dance. You do not have to give a reason.
• Be okay with ‘No thanks’ when you ask people for a dance.
• When asking for a dance, ask people whether they want to lead, follow, switch dance roles and what style.

We are here for you

Please contact us if you have any concerns, need help, or wish to ask a question.

What is sexual harrassment?

The Australian Human Rights Commission defines sexual harassment as including:

• staring or leering;
• unnecessary familiarity, such as deliberately brushing up against you, or unwelcome touching;
• suggestive comments or jokes;
• insults or taunts of a sexual nature;
• intrusive questions or statements about your private life;
• displaying posters, magazines, or screen-savers of a sexual nature;
• sending sexually explicit emails, social media messages, or text messages;
• inappropriate advances on social networking sites;
• accessing sexually explicit internet sites;
• requests for sex or repeated unwanted requests to go out on dates; and
• behaviour that may be considered an offence under criminal law, such as physical assault, indecent exposure, sexual assault, stalking, or obscene communications.

What does this mean for dancing?

Harassment is unwanted or unwelcome behaviour. It can make someone feel unsafe, offended, humiliated, or intimidated. Sexual harassment can be committed by anyone and can occur in many forms: direct, indirect, isolated, repeated, verbal, physical, intentional and unintentional. It is everyone’s responsibility to be aware of their actions.

It will be regarded as sexual harassment if: 

• you hold a dance partner close when they do not wish to be held that way;
• someone has informed you that they do not wish to dance, and you attempt to coerce them by touching, pulling, asking insistently etc;
• you touch a partner’s body, specifically: bottom, groin, upper legs, or chest.

Accidents do happen. They should be acknowledged and an apology immediately offered.