Safety and anti-discrimination

Every year, NYWF brings together many artists and audience members from across the country and the world to Newcastle, NSW, and (in 2020) online.

NYWF is frequently praised for its diversity, its inclusiveness and its friendliness. We strive to maintain this atmosphere, whether in person or online, and to make the NYWF a safe, respectful, inclusive and comfortable experience for all. NYWF has a zero tolerance policy to any harassment, abuse, or discrimination against any attendees whether they are artists, audiences, staff or volunteers.

Harassment may take a number of forms. It includes behaviour which is offensive, threatening, intimidating or degrading. Behaviour that purposefully makes someone feel uncomfortable, threatened, or in danger is also considered to be harassment. Behaviour includes actions and verbal and written comments. Examples of harassment include: unwanted sexual or violent approaches or comments, unwanted physical contact, stalking, following, racial slurs, homophobic or transphobic comments, and the taking of photographs, audio or video recordings after being asked not to do so.

Any attendee whose behaviour violates this policy will be asked to stop and cooperate immediately. If the attendee does not cooperate they will be asked to leave the event. In appropriate cases, the matter may be reported to the police. This applies to all spaces during NYWF including venues, cafes, queues, green rooms, staff rooms, hotels, bars, restaurants and any areas (online or IRL) where a NYWF event is being held. This also applies to the NYWF website, social media, email, and any other digital communications. NYWF will remove any offensive, or inappropriate messages or content posted online in NYWF spaces at NYWF’s sole discretion and you may lose your ability to make further comments. In order to provide a safe space for our artists and attendees comments may be pre-moderated.

 

Support

If, during the festival, you witness or experience harassment, abuse, or discrimination please notify a member of NYWF staff or call the police for severe or urgent concerns (such as immediate physical danger). You can email us via info@youngwritersfestival.org,  or make direct contact with one of our team members.

If you are in need of mental health or personal support, there are a lot of places to get help, including your local GP and headspace. You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36; they’re both open 24/7. The Arts Wellbeing Collective (1800 959 500) is also open 24/7 for arts-specific support.

Full list of other national help lines and websites.

 

Risk

You acknowledge that your participation in the NYWF and your use of social media and the website is at your own risk. You accept all risks and responsibility for all loss, damage, costs and other consequences resulting from using the website or the material on or accessible through the website and NYWF social media. You agree that in no event shall NYWF be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss (including among other things loss of data, revenue or profits), punitive or exemplary damages of any kind or subject to any equitable or injunctive remedies (whether based on breach of contract, tort, negligence, strict liability or otherwise) arising out of or in connection with your access to or use of the NYWF website or social media, any delay or inability to use the website or social media or any information contained in the website or social media. You also acknowledge that any connections made or meet ups conducted outside the program and duration of the NYWF are outside the scope of the NYWF.

 

Thank you

We have put this code of conduct in place to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of NYWF for all attendees. We look forward to welcoming you, safely, and warmly, to NYWF this year.