ISSUP Event Code of Conduct

As part of ISSUP’s mission to professionalise and support the workforce, we hold events to encourage professional development, networking, collaboration and the exchange of knowledge. These events should be a safe space for all attendees where there is no discrimination due to identity, sexuality, physical appearance, age, race, disability, or beliefs. We therefore propose this code of conduct for all participants to ensure a harassment free experience for our community.

ISSUP expects that event attendees will:

• Be kind and respectful to all ISSUP members, attendees, event staff and any visitors to the event site.
• Use welcoming, inclusive and non-stigmatising language.
• Register in advance, arrive in good time for the start of events and be considerate during sessions.
• Be respectful of different viewpoints, accept constructive feedback, and behave professionally.
• ISSUP events are multicultural, and we celebrate the diversity of our delegates. Please therefore be respectful in your chosen conduct.
• Ensure you are aware of the laws of the country hosting the ISSUP event and abide by them.
• Avoid disrespectful, discriminatory materials, behaviour, or speech likely to cause harassment or offence.
• Speak out if you see anything that violates the ISSUP Code of Conduct at an event.

If you are being harassed or feel uncomfortable, observe someone else being harassed, or have any other concerns, please notify a member of the event staff immediately.

Unacceptable behaviour by any ISSUP member will not be tolerated. Unacceptable behaviour includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, insulting, or humiliating speech or behaviour by any event attendee.
• Violence, threats of violence, or use of violent language against another person.
• Making statements that could be defamatory, untrue, or intended to injure a person’s reputation.
• Offensive language or behaviour, including, but not limited to, the use of sexually explicit or offensive words, sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or otherwise discriminatory language.
• Offensive comments, jokes or body language.
• Circulating or displaying pornographic, racist, sexually suggestive, stigmatising or otherwise offensive material or pictures.
• Personal insults that violate an individual’s dignity, especially those based on gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, or disability.
• Unsuitable photography or recording.
• Disruption of conference sessions, trainings or side meetings.
• Unwelcome and repeated flirtations, propositions, advances, or other sexual attention – including gratuitous or off-topic sexual images or behaviour.
• Non-consensual or unwanted physical contact.
• Stalking, following or intimidation.
• Failure to follow any of the event venue's rules or regulations.

Consequences of unacceptable behaviour

• Inappropriate behaviour, or encouragement of inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.
• Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.
• If a Participant demonstrates improper behaviour, ISSUP may take whatever action it thinks necessary in adherence to the local law.
• For more extreme behaviour, ISSUP may temporarily suspend or permanently remove a participant from the group in its reasonable judgment.
• For more extreme behaviour, the person violating these rules may be asked to leave the event at the sole discretion of the organisers without a refund or removed from a virtual event.
• Some forms of unacceptable behaviour may be serious enough to constitute a criminal offence. If ISSUP becomes aware that an attendee has (or may have) committed an offence, ISSUP may report its concerns to the police or other authorities, as appropriate.

What to do if you witness or are subjected to unacceptable behaviour

• If you are subjected to inappropriate behaviour, observe that someone else is, or have any other concerns, please alert event staff as soon as possible.
• During the event, event personnel will be accessible to provide assistance.
• All reports will be kept confidential.
• If you wish to contact us regarding an event, or this policy please contact info [at] issup [dot] net (info[at]issup[dot]net).

Additional Considerations

• The code of conduct is to be considered a living document.
• The code of conduct will be subject to annual review and may be updated.

Disclaimer

• Presentations delivered and hosted by the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) are provided for informational purposes only.
• Presentations are educational in nature and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
• The views expressed by speakers or other third parties are those of the speaker or third-party and not, necessarily, those of ISSUP.