Glossary of Acronyms

BPOC - Black and People of Colour

CIC - Community interest company

DSL - Designated Safeguard Lead

Further definitions can be found here -  https://www.racialequitytools.org/glossary

Purpose of Policy

BiCamp (and other Bi+ events) have historically been attended by those from ethnically white backgrounds, with BPOC / Global Majority attendees in the minority. 

BiCampers are diverse in many ways; a range of disabilities, countries of origin and cultural backgrounds - camp provides a ‘utopia’ away from the world with the Bisexual umbrella as our common ground.

Anti-racism policies are few and far between in organisations - in favour of general “inclusion” policies. This document allows us to be clear in our stance and firm in our response to the specific and historic type of oppression that racism presents.
BiCamp has been focused on LGBTQIA+ and disability justice - as many of us belong to these groups - but we acknowledge we have fallen short in the past to take action to make sure racism is challenged at BiCamp.

We acknowledge that;

• BiCamp is not magically less white supremacist than society as a whole.

• Attending BiCamp (and the mandatory anti-racism sessions) does not absolve attendees from being racially prejudiced.

• BiCamp will only become an anti-racist organisation with the continued work and commitment of the directors, committee members, volunteers and attendees and we are not there yet.

Key principles

• We believe those who experience racism at BiCamp. We will listen and believe those who report racist behaviour

• We recognise racism, and have an understanding of the specifics - such as micro-agressions, anti-Black racism, colourism and misogynoir

• We are open to learn new things about racism and how it shows up 

How we deal with racist indicents

We use a 5 step process which all staff/volunteers should be aware of and feel confident to carry out. We lead with our Scale of Harm document and Safeguarding Policies.

Five steps

• Step 1:The Incident
  A racist incident is witnessed or experienced at BiCamp.
  A witness / person who faced racism is empowered to report the incident.

• Step 2: The Report
  A racist incident is reported to DSL / Mental health First Aider / Volunteer.
  The person receiving the disclosure or report believes and listens to the person making the disclosure, taking it seriously no matter if it is a microaggression witnessed by one person, or an explicit act of racism witnessed by many. If the person was a witness - to gauge whether it is important to find the person(s) who were the target of the racism ASAP + check in with them.
  
  

• Step 3: The Check in
  A wellbeing assessment is made for parties involved.
  Is the person making the disclosure / the target of racism physically hurt? → Physical First Aider called to the scene ASAP.
  Is the person making the disclosure / the target of racism in emotional distress? →  Do they consent to a mental health first aider? → Mental Health First Aider called to the scene ASAP.
  Does the volunteer receiving the disclosure need support at this time? →  Radio for assistance - for DSL to attend or another member of the team to support.
  
  Sit with the person making the report, talk with them, ask if they’d like a drink, actively listen to their concerns, tell them you believe them.
  Taking care of those affected comes first.
  Be human, take them away from a distressing situation - do they have a friend they want with them at this time? Do they need time to destress in the sensory room? Each person will need different things.
  
  

• Step 4: The Scale of Harm

If there is risk of immediate harm it is a safeguarding concern and most urgent - potential for emergency services to be called without consultation.

When the person reporting is ready - mentally and physically available and willing to do so - use all available information, being led by the witness/target, using the DSL as a guide if necessary - work out where the incident falls on the scale of harm. 

• Step 5: Next Steps
  Use the scale of Harm to approach next steps - which could range from ‘no further action taken’ to ‘written apology and commitment to further learning after BiCamp’ to ‘perpetrator asked to leave BiCamp immediately.’
  This decision should be made in consultation with the person who experienced the racism first, and if it was only witnessed, with the person who witnessed it - to gauge its level of harm.

Our Commitment + Learning from the past

• We will train our committee and volunteers every year on our 5 step process. 

• We will share our anti-racism process at BiCamp so it is easily accessible to all

• We will only contact emergency services as a last resort, when immediate threat to life or safety is compromised. 

• We aim to keep reports - as per our safeguarding policy - on a ‘need to know’ basis. 

Questions, comments or concerns

Do get in touch with the DSL Yasmyn if you have any questions, comments or concerns on: bicampconcerns@gmail.com