At CLASS, we strive to create a space where kinksters of all genders, orientations, races, religions, ages (over 18!) and other identities can feel comfortable expressing themselves. If someone or something at CLASS is making you feel uncomfortable, or if you feel that someone’s attendance may negatively impact the event, we want to hear about it. 

Raising a Concern

We prefer to deal with issues that arise at the event on the day whenever possible. At play events, monitors (identified by yellow sashes) may be approached in the first instance, who may page organisers if necessary.  At other events, organisers wear badges with the CLASS crest may be approached with concerns. In many cases, a brief conversation is all that is required to address minor concerns and missteps on the day, where it is relatively easy for us to identify those involved and intervene in a timely manner. 

Outside of the event, concerns can be raised with the CLASS Board of Trustees (BOT) by sending a message to the CLASS_Irl Fetlife account or by using our contact form. These accounts are managed by the members of the CLASS BOT (listed as leaders of the CLASS Fetlife group). Note that this team may change over time, and that any new BOT members will have access to any data stored in these accounts. Concerns may also be raised directly with individual members of the BOT. 

Process

We aim to use a victim-lead and trauma-informed process when handling complaints. 

While we are open to hearing about issues from third parties, we generally also need to talk to those directly involved. Witnesses can provide valuable perspective, but we are primarily concerned with ensuring that we understand the concerns of those who feel they have been harmed. 

Where possible, we will seek to do this in person by arranging a meeting if the complaint was initiated through PM or email. We encourage those coming to us with sensitive issues to bring a friend to this meeting for support if they wish to do so. 

At this initial meeting, we will aim to listen and support the person raising the complaint. In doing so, we hope to learn: 

• The factual series of events, as best as can be recalled
• The impact these events had on the person raising the complaint
• The desired outcome(s) from the person raising the complaint

Depending on the desired outcome, we will discuss the next steps that we feel we would like to take and obtain consent to do so. When an issue is raised with us, it is considered confidential unless we are given consent from the person raising the issue to share their story for the purposes of addressing the complaint. Before doing so, we will clarify what information will be shared and with whom and ensure that we have consent to do so from the person raising the complaint. 

In our experience, mistakes and miscommunication happen more frequently than malicious acts. Therefore, in most cases we will also seek the perspective of the party against whom the complaint has been made. 

Potential Outcomes

Empowerment & Education

In the best-case scenarios, we are able to work with attendees to empower them to address issues between themselves without direct CLASS involvement when they feel comfortable to do so. An ideal outcome from a complaint is when those who have been harmed have the support to feel confident advocating for themselves, and those who have done harm are open to hearing this feedback, changing their behaviour, and making amends. 

Warnings and Conditional Attendance

In some cases, we may place conditions on someone’s future attendance at our events, such as apologising to the person harmed (if this has been requested), refraining from interacting with certain other attendees, or refraining from certain behaviours. Notices of conditions of future CLASS attendance are given by the CLASS BOT only, either in person or in a message from the CLASS FetLife or email accounts. If these conditions are not met, we may ask the person to leave and/or refuse future admission.

Additionally, in cases of conflicts where certain individuals involved are not able to share the event space, we may impose a system of alternating event dates for the parties involved. 

Exclusion

While we strive to resolve conflicts in ways that allow for continued event attendance for all involved, sometimes we may feel that an attendee is not a good fit for our event. We use exclusion as a last resort. Notices of exclusion are given by the admin team only, either in person or in a message from the CLASS FetLife or email accounts. 

Record Keeping and GDPR

The CLASS BOT understands the importance of privacy and discretion for our attendees, and consequently stores personal information only when it is necessary for the continued running of our events.  When we receive a complaint, we will record the following information to help us identify potential trends and patterns in behaviour: 

• Name and/or contact information for the person raising the complaint
• Name and/or contact information for the subject of the complaint
• Name and/or contact information for others substantially involved in the issue
• Summary of the issue raised with us
• Summary of any action taken 

This information is only accessible to the current owner and backup owner(s), and is never shared with any third parties. 

You may request a copy of any of your personal information we have stored by sending a message to the CLASS_Irl Fetlife account or by using our contact form. As we must verify your identity before sending your personal information, we recommend using the email and/or profile for which you wish to request information. Further details on our personal data policy are available in the CLASS Guidelines.