harassment & assault policy

Effective June 2025, this is the official Harassment and Assault Policy for the Paradise Music Festival and all related gatherings.

To promote transparency and safety, this policy is publicly available and easily accessible.

Paradise Music Festival Society is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all attendees, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff. Our approach is rooted in our Vision, Mission, and Values, which guide all decisions, policies, and community commitments.

This is a living document and applies to all Paradise events, including the annual festival and all related gatherings.

Scope of This Policy

This policy, along with the Code of Conduct, applies to the following groups:

  • Attendees: Ticket holders, registered guests, and any individuals who are physically present onsite at any Paradise-hosted event, including those who gain unauthorized access. Paradise reserves the right to hold all individuals accountable under this policy, regardless of ticket status, to help maintain a safe and respectful environment.

  • Team: All individuals involved in the planning and execution of the festival, including volunteers, independent subcontractors, and paid staff.

  • Suppliers: Any contracted organization or vendor, such as security providers, food and artisan vendors, or other service partners.

  • Talent: All booked or contracted participants, including DJs, artists, performers, workshop facilitators, installation artists, and instructors.


Important Notes:

  • Disclosures can only be submitted by the individual who directly experienced the incident (no third-party reporting).

  • Reports must be made via the REES platform — we cannot accept disclosures via email or social media.

  • Paradise may have limited response capacity during the 10-day period before the festival.

Code of Conduct

Paradise’s Code of Conduct is the ethical foundation of our festival community. Key expectations include:

  • Respect & Inclusivity: Treat everyone with dignity and care.

  • Consent Culture: Explicit verbal consent is required before physical, verbal, or social interaction. No means no. Silence does not mean yes.

  • Safety First: We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or violence of any kind.

Prohibited Behaviours Include:

  • Harassment & Discrimination: Hate speech, racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or ableist remarks. Unwanted comments about identity or appearance.

  • Sexual Harassment or Assault: Any form of unwanted sexualized attention or contact. Consent is always required.

  • Aggression or Threats: Physical or verbal intimidation of any kind.

  • Retaliation: Any attempt to punish someone for disclosing their experience is a violation of this policy.

Read the full Code of Conduct.

Onsite Support Team

Paradise has a dedicated Harm Reduction team onsite, including trained volunteers assigned to support shifts. They work alongside security and other teams to respond to the needs of attendees requiring support. 

Sexual Assault Disclosures

We recognize that festival leadership or harm reduction may be the first point of contact for survivors. There are two types of disclosures:

  • Disclosure: The survivor seeks support only, without immediate action.

  • Report: A formal request to initiate an assessment and coordinated response from Paradise organizers or security.

In June 2025, Paradise partnered with REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors) — a secure, confidential reporting platform. REES allows individuals to:

  • Document an incident

  • Access support resources

  • Choose whether to share the report with organizers

  • Submit anonymously (if desired)

Paradise no longer accepts disclosures via email or social media.

REES is the official documentation platform for all disclosures of sexual violence.

Onsite Assault Response

In the event of a disclosure or report:

  • The Harm Reduction Lead will be notified to acknowledge the survivor and let them know support is available if needed.

  • Offer to accompany the survivor to a private space (such as The Sanctuary or another suitable location on site).

  • Provide the option for the survivor to have a Harm Reduction team member present throughout the process, if they choose.

  • The Harm Reduction team will offer continued support to the survivor, as well as to any friends or others impacted.

  • Harm Reduction and Security will collaborate with the survivor to develop a support plan for the remainder of the event or festival.

If a report involves immediate physical danger:

  • Security is dispatched immediately to assess and de-escalate.

  • Medical support is provided at the First Aid tent.

  • The survivor is supported in submitting a REES report and offered access to services.

  • Police will only be called if the survivor wishes to file a criminal complaint — Paradise cannot do so on their behalf.

  • Paradise and property owners reserve the right to remove individuals from the event if necessary.

Confidentiality is maintained at all times. 

Offsite Assault 

Paradise Music Festival recognizes that due to the pervasiveness of sexual violence in the greater community, there may be people on-site who have experienced sexual violence in their past.

  • If someone discloses that they are seeking support and, to their knowledge, their alleged abuser is not onsite, the survivor should be directed to the Harm Reduction Team for assistance.

  • If the alleged perpetrator is onsite, a coordinated response between the survivor, security, and Harm Reduction will be required to support the survivor.

  • Accept offseason disclosures via the REES platform only.

All offseason disclosures will be acknowledged within 7 days and assessed for action depending on scope, consent, and capacity.

Response to a REES Report

If a report falls within the scope of this policy:

  • Paradise will initiate a confidential assessment process, including:

    • Notifying the respondent (the individual reported)

    • Sharing this policy with all parties

    • Conducting interviews and collecting statements using an Incident Report Form

    • Determining, on a balance of probabilities, if a violation occurred

    • Preparing a written report with findings and recommended next steps

Remedial Actions

If a Code of Conduct violation is confirmed, Paradise may take any of the following actions:

  • A verbal or written warning

  • Adjustments to working or volunteer roles

  • Mediation between involved parties

  • Required education or training

  • Increased supervision or monitoring

  • Suspension or dismissal from duties

  • Contract or policy revisions

  • Immediate removal from the festival and denial of re-entry

  • Temporary or lifetime bans from future Paradise events

If no violation is found, Paradise may still offer support options.

All actions are incident-specific, reviewed with the survivor, and guided by available resources and safety considerations.

Documentation

  • REES is the official documentation platform for all disclosures of sexual violence.

  • Any other safety-related concerns will be collected through our Incident Report Form.

  • All documentation is confidential and securely stored.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is an important principle in creating an environment where survivors feel safe to disclose, report, and seek support. 

 Paradise team members are expected to:

  • Protect all information related to a disclosure

  • Seek survivor consent before sharing any details, except:

    • Minors in need of protection (Child & Family Services Act - Duty to report)

    • Survivors, family members, or community members who may be at risk or vulnerable to severe injury or mortality;

    • Perpetrators who may be at risk of committing severe injury or mortality;

    • As ordered by law including release required in court proceedings, arbitration or other legal proceedings.

  • Collect only the information required to address the concern

  • Use the information strictly for response or prevention purposes

  • Share anonymized learnings (without identifying info) to improve future safety efforts

REES reports are handled according to REES’s privacy policy.


Supporting Survivors

We take a survivor-centred approach. A survivor-centred approach to violence seeks to empower the survivor by listening, protecting their confidentiality and prioritizing their rights, needs and wishes to every extent possible. It includes survivors having access to appropriate, accessible and safe services, including: 

  • Affirm their dignity and respect 

  • Listen without judgment

  • Provide information to help individuals access medical, legal, and emotional support services.

  • Ensure confidentiality and consent are respected throughout

  • Help co-create a safety plan onsite if needed