We believe 'safer spaces' are environments where individuals of all backgrounds can engage without fear of discrimination, harassment, or harm—especially those who have been historically marginalized. While no space can be perfectly safe for everyone at all times, we aim to reduce harm through community norms, transparency, and accountability.
Sentient Meat and its partner organizations and events are committed to creating safer spaces at all events, programs, and properties we manage or support. We work toward this by setting clear expectations, listening actively when harm occurs, and cultivating community accountability through education, consent, and care.
We strive to keep our spaces safe by following simple guidelines of consent. Consent is not the absence of a 'no', but the presence of a verbal and enthuastic 'yes'. It’s based on clear communication in an environment where people feel comfortable saying no and yes, and with full trust that their boundaries will be respected. Consent is vital not just in our personal relations, but in all aspects of daily community life.
All participants in Sentient Meat spaces, events, and programs are expected to:
If you experience or witness harm:
Anonymous reporting is available through the form and encouraged when it's what allows someone to come forward. Anonymous submissions are treated as third-party concerns rather than first-hand reports. This is a protective measure, not a way of dismissing anonymous reports, but rather a safeguard against bad-faith use of the reporting process. It ensures that formal processes affecting named individuals are grounded in accounts we can verify and follow up on. Anonymous submissions are logged and taken seriously, and may inform informal concern tracking or prompt a check-in even when they cannot open a formal process on their own.
What counts as a report: A report is a first-hand account submitted by someone directly affected by an incident, with contact information provided. Third-party accounts, where someone shares a concern on behalf of someone else, or submits without identifying themselves, are welcomed and valued but do not constitute a formal report.
The form takes about 5–10 minutes to complete and guides you through what information is helpful to share. You do not need to have all the answers to submit a report.
We prioritize the needs of the person harmed while aiming for transparency in how concerns are addressed. We reject punitive models of justice in favor of learning, growth, and repair whenever possible.
Informal concern tracking: Not every concern rises to the level of a formal report, and that's okay. Concerns that are shared informally—whether anonymously, through a third party, or as a "I don't want to make it a big deal, but..."—are noted privately by the Community Standards Lead. A pattern of similar concerns about the same person or situation may prompt a check-in conversation, even if no single incident has risen to a formal report. This is not surveillance, it is how we notice when someone may need support or when a pattern needs attention before it becomes a crisis.
Once a report is received, the Community Standards Lead and/or Resident Advisor will:
Immediate safety: If someone poses an immediate risk to others, organizers or board members may ask them to leave an event or program space right away. This does not require a completed process and is always available as a protective measure. Participation in Sentient Meat programs is a privilege, not a right.
Possible responses include:
The Community Standards Lead may consult the Board or convene a Community Accountability Panel (see below) to help assess the situation and recommend an appropriate response. Immediate removal from a space is always available when someone poses a risk to others.
When harm occurs, we strive to respond with care and accountability rather than punishment. We believe that people are capable of growth, and that the goal of accountability is repair, not disposal.
Restorative circles are facilitated, voluntary conversations between those affected and those responsible. Guided by our values, this process allows participants to share impact, listen, and collaborate on how to repair harm.
Community Accountability Panels of 2–3 trusted community members may convene to support reflection, understanding, and follow-through on restorative agreements. Panels are appointed by the board and may include board members, residents, or other trusted community volunteers. The board will serve this function when no panel volunteers are available. These processes are non-punitive and designed to nurture healing, prevent recurrence, and strengthen community resilience.
Community-building circles are proactive conversations that foster mutual trust, state our shared values, and strengthen relationships, and are also part of how we prevent harm before it occurs.
Residents have an additional layer of community infrastructure to draw on. Because we share daily life, direct communication is often the most effective first step.
Reporting about a board member or staff: If your concern involves the Community Standards Lead, Resident Advisor, or a board member, you may submit an incident report or contact any other board member directly at board@sentientmeat.org. The person named in the concern will not participate in intake or decision-making for that report.
Participants may request review of any decision by contacting board@sentientmeat.org. Our goal is not punishment but accountability, repair, and community safety.
We recognize that we are all learning and growing. Safer spaces are co-created through mutual care, and mistakes will happen. When they do, we encourage reflection, accountability, and transformation.
This policy is a living document. We welcome feedback, revision, and participation in evolving it together.
This policy was developed with reference to the Coalition for Safer Spaces and the Organ House Incident Response Plan and further developed by Sentient Meat. We are grateful to both communities for making their frameworks publicly available.
