Top

PauseAI Sexual Harassment Policy

PauseAI is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all its members. We take all allegations of harassment seriously, regardless of the gender or orientation of the people involved, their position within the PauseAI community, or the time and place of the harassment.

Definition

Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that makes a person feel offended, humiliated, and/or intimidated. It can include one or more of the following behaviours:

Physical conduct

  • Unwelcome touching, including stroking, kissing, hugging, or pinching
  • Physical violence, including sexual assault

Verbal conduct

  • Explicit comments, stories and jokes
  • Repeated and unwanted sexual advances or invitations on dates
  • Inappropriate messages (e.g. on Discord)
  • The use of threats or rewards to solicit sexual favours

Non-verbal conduct

  • Displaying explicit or suggestive material
  • Leering
  • Sexually suggestive gestures

We recognise that sex and relationships aren’t always straightforward. We aim to treat everyone in our community with compassion as we work to make PauseAI a safe place for all.

Reporting

If you think you may have witnessed or experienced sexual harassment, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Contact (DSC) at safeguarding@pauseai.info  . Alternatively, you may contact the Deputy DSC (contact details to be confirmed).

Alternative reporting route: If your concern involves the DSC or a member of senior leadership, please contact the named external advisor / board contact (to be confirmed). An independent reporting route must always be available.

Information Sharing and Confidentiality

We will handle your disclosure with the utmost sensitivity. Information will be shared only on a strict need-to-know basis with the DSC and essential decision-makers.

While we will always try to respect your wishes regarding next steps, PauseAI may need to share information or take action without your consent if there is a risk of serious harm, unlawful conduct, risk to a minor, or risk to the wider community.

We will minimise identifying information where possible, but anonymity cannot always be guaranteed, particularly in small event settings where the context of an incident may make identities apparent.

PauseAI explicitly distinguishes between confidentiality (information restricted to those who need it) and anonymity (identity not disclosed). We commit to confidentiality on a need-to-know basis. We cannot always guarantee anonymity.

Complaints Procedure

PauseAI will support you in resolving your complaint. Here are some examples of how we can help:

  1. If a crime may have been committed, we can support you in contacting the police.
  2. If you would like to resolve things informally, the DSC can speak to someone on your behalf.
  3. If you decide to make a formal complaint, the process below will apply.

Formal complaint process

  1. Initial acknowledgment. The DSC will acknowledge your report within 3 working days and explain the next steps.
  2. Assessment. The DSC will assess the nature and severity of the complaint. For serious allegations, PauseAI may seek external advice or support.
  3. Interim measures. The DSC may put precautionary measures in place while the complaint is being assessed (see Interim Measures below). These are not determinations of fault.
  4. Investigation. The DSC will speak to you, the respondent, and any available witnesses to establish the facts.
  5. Respondent notification. If formal action is required, the DSC will summarise the allegations and present them to the respondent to allow a fair response. We will make every effort to protect the reporter’s identity where they wish to remain anonymous, but the context of the incident may make identity apparent. The reporter will never be asked to communicate directly with the respondent as part of the formal process.
  6. Decision. The DSC, in consultation with senior leadership where appropriate, will determine the outcome and any actions to be taken.
  7. Resolution. PauseAI will aim to resolve formal complaints as promptly as circumstances allow. You will be kept informed of progress.

If you decide to complain, you are allowed to withdraw your complaint at any time. PauseAI will always respect your choices and try to support you. However, if PauseAI believes there may be an ongoing risk to other community members, we may choose to continue the process even if a complaint is withdrawn.

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you may raise this with the external advisor via the alternative reporting route above.

Interim Measures

While a complaint is being assessed, the DSC may put precautionary measures in place. These are not determinations of fault. They may include:

  • No-contact directions between parties
  • Seating or accommodation changes at events
  • Restricted access to certain spaces or channels
  • Temporary suspension from community spaces pending review

Graduated Range of Responses

Depending on the severity and circumstances, responses may include:

  • Informal conversation or reminder
  • Formal warning
  • Behavioural agreement or conditions
  • Removal from a specific event
  • Temporary suspension from community spaces
  • Permanent ban from all PauseAI spaces
  • Referral to authorities where appropriate

Support for Affected Persons

PauseAI is committed to supporting anyone affected by sexual harassment:

  • You may bring a support person to any conversation about a report.
  • The DSC can provide referrals to relevant external support services (crisis lines, medical services, local victim support organisations).
  • The DSC will check in with the affected person after the initial response to ensure ongoing wellbeing.

Timing

PauseAI commits to following up on any issues raised within 3 working days of receiving an email or having a conversation on this topic.

Anti-Retaliation and Good Faith Reporting

PauseAI prohibits retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith, makes a report, seeks support, or participates in a review or investigation. Retaliation is itself a violation of this policy.

A report made in good faith that turns out to be unsubstantiated is not a false report. However, knowingly making a false or malicious report is a breach of this policy.

Safeguarding and Code of Conduct

If you witness or experience a violation beyond sexual harassment, please report it to the DSC at safeguarding@pauseai.info  . Reports will be handled in accordance with our Safeguarding Protocol and Code of Conduct.