Code of Conduct
The Decatur Children’s Book Festival and Little Shop of Stories are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. In order to ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees, participants, panelists, speakers, authors, publishers, volunteers and employees, we expect everyone to maintain an atmosphere of respect and the following standards of behavior:
Your experience should be a positive one regardless of race; sex; national origin; religion (or lack thereof); age; ethnicity; color; gender; gender identity and/or expression; neurodiversity; sexual orientation; marital, civil union, or domestic partnership status; past or present military service; physical, mental, or sensory disability; national, social, or ethnic origin; pregnancy; family or parental status and/or genetic information (including family medical history); or technology choices.
Harassment includes but is not limited to:
- Offensive verbal comments related to, or that reinforce social structures of dominations related to, any protected category above
- Inappropriate physical contact
- Sexual propositions or images
- Unwelcome sexual attention
- Off-color, obscene, racial and/or culturally insensitive jokes, remarks, or gestures
- Any other words or conduct of a sexual nature that makes the recipient or observer uncomfortable
- Deliberate intimidation, bullying, stalking, or following
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Unwelcome photography or recording
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
If a person engages in harassing behavior, Decatur Children’s Book Festival Staff will take prompt action in any form they deem appropriate, including expulsion from the festival. Our policy applies to EVERYONE participating in events. Exhibitors, Attendees, Authors and Illustrators, Moderators, Guests, Press, Staff, Volunteers, and Sponsors are all subject to our anti-harassment policy.
Anyone can report harassment. If someone’s behavior has made you uncomfortable, or if you witness something happening to someone else, you should immediately contact Decatur Children’s Book Festival Staff. You may report an incident by emailing [email protected]. If necessary, we will contact local law enforcement.
The Decatur Children’s Book Festival’s mission is to create a fun, safe, and welcoming celebration of literature for young people and the adults in their lives. We want everyone to not only have a great time, but to experience the festival in an environment where they are safe and accepted.