Harassment Policy

The Midwest ParaCon is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and welcoming event for everyone.

This policy applies to all attendees, guests, speakers, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, staff, security, venue staff, and anyone else taking part in the event.

What Counts as Harassment

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Unwanted physical contact
• Unwanted sexual attention
• Stalking, following, or intimidation
• Threats, bullying, or aggressive behavior
• Offensive comments about race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, body size, appearance, or identity
• Repeated unwanted photography or recording
• Taking photos or video in private areas
• Disrupting panels, presentations, vendor tables, lines, or event activities
• Displaying sexual, violent, hateful, or threatening images or materials
• Continuing to talk to or interact with someone after they have asked you to stop

This list is not complete. Midwest ParaCon staff may decide that other behavior is harassment if it makes someone feel unsafe, targeted, threatened, or unwelcome.

Costumes, cosplay, spiritual practice, paranormal interest, celebrity status, vendor status, staff status, or any event role are never consent. Respect personal space. Ask before touching someone, photographing them, recording them, or entering their space.

Consequences

Anyone who violates this policy may face consequences, including:

• A verbal warning
• Removal from a panel, booth, line, or event area
• Confiscation of an event badge or wristband
• Removal from the convention without refund
• Removal as a vendor, guest, volunteer, speaker, or staff member
• A ban from future Midwest ParaCon events
• Contact with venue security or law enforcement when needed

Midwest ParaCon staff will decide the response based on the situation. We do not promise warnings before removal.

How to Report Harassment

If you are harassed, see someone being harassed, or have a safety concern, please contact event staff right away.

You may also report concerns at the Midwest ParaCon information table, registration desk, or to any clearly marked Midwest ParaCon staff member.

Please include as much information as you can, such as what happened, where it happened, who was involved, and whether anyone needs immediate help.

If there is an emergency or someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.

If Staff Are Involved

If the person causing the problem is a Midwest ParaCon staff member, volunteer, guest, vendor, speaker, security worker, or venue employee, you can still report it.

You may contact the event organizer, the safety lead, registration staff, venue security, venue management, or local law enforcement if needed.

No one is exempt from this policy. Reports involving staff, guests, vendors, speakers, security, or venue workers will be taken seriously.

What Midwest ParaCon Will Do

When a report is made, Midwest ParaCon staff will try to help the person affected feel safe. This may include escorting them to a safer area, contacting security, helping them reach a friend or family member, removing the person causing harm, or taking other steps that fit the situation.

We will respect privacy as much as possible, but we may need to share information with event leadership, venue security, or law enforcement if there is a safety concern.

Midwest ParaCon does not allow retaliation against anyone who reports harassment or helps someone else report it. Retaliation may result in removal from the event and a ban from future events.

Policy Availability

This policy is intended to remain available on the Midwest ParaCon website year-round. We also recommend posting the event safety contact information at the venue and including it in attendee, vendor, volunteer, and staff materials.