We Care

Everyone must be treated with dignity and respect.

Not accepted

• Discrimination
• Harassment
• Hate speech
• Intimidation
• Bullying
• Stalking
• Degrading comments
• Unwanted sexual attention
• Unwanted physical contact
• Retaliation

Bachata Geneva welcomes Participants regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, language, age, disability or accessibility needs, religion or belief, physical appearance, body size, dance role, dance level or experience, or other personal characteristics.

Respect people's physical, emotional and personal boundaries, and pay attention to both verbal and non-verbal signals. Deliberately excluding, isolating, humiliating or making someone feel unwelcome is not acceptable. If someone sets a boundary, refuses a dance, asks for help or reports a concern, that decision must be respected.

Consent is essential, both on and off the dance floor.

It must be freely given and mutual, and it can be withdrawn at any time. Everyone has the right to refuse or end a dance, ask for more space, or set a physical or personal boundary without having to justify themselves. Agreeing to dance does not automatically mean agreeing to close embrace, intimate contact or extra physical contact.

Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal signals. Not everyone communicates or interprets non-verbal cues in the same way, so if you are unsure, ask clearly and respectfully. Never assume consent, and always respect a clearly communicated boundary. Pressure, repeated requests, ignoring boundaries or continuing after consent has been refused or withdrawn is not acceptable.

Be aware of your partner and the people around you. Adapt your dancing to the space available, avoid uncontrolled or dangerous movements, and avoid dips, lifts, tricks or acrobatics when there is not enough space, appropriate skill and consent.

Respect injuries, mobility needs and requests to modify a dance. Avoid unsolicited physical corrections or forcefully teaching someone during a social dance. Please also maintain reasonable personal hygiene and respect the level and structure of workshops.

Artists, teachers, judges, organizers, staff, volunteers and other Participants in positions of visibility or authority have an additional responsibility to use their position appropriately.

Status, judging influence, accreditation, teaching opportunities, invitations, employment or access must never be used to pressure someone into romantic or sexual attention, punish someone for setting a boundary, or discourage a report.

Intoxication is never an excuse for inappropriate behaviour. Do not pressure others to drink or use substances, and do not exploit someone who is too intoxicated to make or communicate a free decision. Illegal drug use at the event is prohibited.

Bachata Geneva is a Festival of Nations. Participants may express their national, regional or cultural identity, including through flags and cultural symbols.

A national flag by itself is not considered political advocacy and does not imply that Bachata Geneva endorses the actions or policies of that country's government. This principle applies equally to all nationalities and communities.

What is not permitted is using the festival for organized political campaigning, propaganda, protest actions that materially disrupt the event, calls for violence, hate speech, military or extremist advocacy, or using flags and symbols to threaten, demean or deliberately intimidate others.

Respectful personal conversation is not, by itself, a Code of Conduct violation. Political neutrality will never be used as a reason to ignore discrimination, harassment or threats.

Respect people's privacy when taking photographs or recordings.

Do not secretly or inappropriately photograph or record someone in a private or sensitive situation, continue targeted filming after someone has clearly objected where it is reasonably possible to stop, or use images or recordings to harass, humiliate or retaliate against another person.

Treat festival staff, volunteers, venue personnel, security and other Participants with respect. Follow reasonable safety and access instructions and respect the venue, its property and the people around you.

Specific rules relating to access, wristbands, cloakrooms, smoking, accommodation, property, ticketing and other event conditions are governed by the Festival Rules and Terms & Conditions.

Each person participating in an event organized by Bachata Geneva is responsible at all times for their consumption of alcohol. Bachata Geneva asks the Participants of its events to be aware of their own limits.

If you have been drinking, driving is strongly discouraged. Participants may contact staff to find an appropriate means of transportation.

Bachata Geneva staff and security may remove a person from the venue if they show visible signs of intoxication that raise a safety concern, for the safety of that person, other participants and the event. Any consumption of drugs is prohibited at all times during Bachata Geneva events and is a reason for removal from the event.