Our Core Values:

The following values guide our community and form the foundation of this Code of Conduct:

● Respect — Honor the dignity, experiences, and boundaries of every individual. Each person brings a unique perspective shaped by their own experiences, and all perspectives deserve to be heard and valued.

● Safety — Prioritize physical, emotional, and psychological safety at all times. We are each responsible for contributing to a environment where every attendee can participate without fear.

● Inclusivity — Welcome and affirm people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and lived experiences. Our collective strength lies in the diversity of our community.

● Confidentiality — Protect the privacy of survivors and all attendees. What is shared in trust must be held in trust, both during and after the conference. (See below for a more detailed discussion)

● Accountability — Take responsibility for our words, actions, and their impact on others. Intent does not diminish negative effects, and we commit to learning and growing when we cause harm.

● Trauma-Informed Practice — Recognize the prevalence of trauma among attendees and presenters at this conference and commit to interacting with everyone in a way that promotes healing rather than harm. We strive to create predictability, choice, and empowerment in all aspects of this conference.

Supportive & Ethical Behavior:

All conference participants — including attendees, speakers, sponsors, staff, and volunteers commit to:

● Treat all attendees, speakers, staff, and volunteers with courtesy, kindness, and respect at all times.

● Use inclusive and person-first language (we can only speak from our own experience); respect individuals' chosen names and pronouns. If you are unsure, ask respectfully.

● Honor content and trigger warnings provided by presenters; be mindful and sensitive when discussing topics related to violence, abuse, or trauma.

● Respect personal boundaries; always ask before initiating physical contact, taking photographs, or recording audio or video.

● Respect service animals. Trained service animals who are working should not be touched or spoken to directly, which can distract them from their duties. If you are in doubt, ask the person the animal is attending.

● Actively listen and create space for diverse voices and perspectives, including those that differ from your own.

● Maintain confidentiality. What is shared in a session stays in that session unless explicit permission is given by the individual who shared. See below for additional information about confidentiality.

● Follow all venue rules and guidelines, including health and safety protocols, accessibility accommodations, and emergency procedures.

If you observe or experience any of these points being violated, report your concerns promptly to conference staff or designated safety officers.

Unacceptable Behavior:

The following behaviors violate this Code of Conduct. This list is not exhaustive; conference organizers reserve the right to address any behavior that undermines the safety, well-being, or dignity of participants:

● Harassment of any kind, including verbal, physical, visual, or written intimidation, threats, or abuse.

● Discriminatory language or conduct based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, socioeconomic status, immigration status, or any other protected characteristic.

● Unwelcome sexual attention, inappropriate physical contact, sexual comments, or the display of sexual imagery in any conference space.

● Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or unwelcomed following of an individual, whether in person or through digital means.

● Sharing or recording another attendee's personal story, identity, or likeness without their explicit, informed consent.

● Disruptive behavior that interferes with a session, speaker, attendee, or any attendees' ability to participate and engage.

● Retaliation of any kind against anyone who reports a concern or violation in good faith.

● Victim-blaming language, minimizing survivors' experiences, or challenging the validity of someone's account of harm.

● Attending conference events while visibly impaired by substances in a manner that disrupts others or compromises the safety of the environment.

Confidentiality and Privacy:

Many attendees at this conference may be survivors themselves, or they may share sensitive personal or professional information in sessions, workshops, or conversations. All attendees must respect the confidentiality of what is shared in these settings. Disclosures survivors make at the COVA Conference are acts of trust, and that trust must be honored fully. Breaching confidentiality can cause significant harm and is a violation of this Code of Conduct.

Do not share identifying information about other attendees — including names, photographs, organizational affiliations, or personal stories — on social media, in personal or professional communications, or in any other public or semi-public forum without the individual's explicit written consent. When posting about the conference on social media or elsewhere, please focus on ideas, themes, resources, and your own personal experience and reflections rather than the identities or disclosures of others.

Photos or images of speakers or attendees may only be shared in any format with the explicit documented permission of the person depicted.

Content Warnings and Self-Care:

Due to the nature of this conference, sessions may include discussions of violence, abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, trauma, grief, and other sensitive topics. Presenters and facilitators are asked to provide clear content warnings at the beginning of their sessions so that attendees can make informed decisions about their participation.

Attendees are encouraged to practice self-care throughout the conference. You are welcome to step out of any session at any time, for any reason, without explanation. Your well-being comes first. Quiet spaces and wellness resources, including access to on-site support personnel, will be available throughout the event. Please ask any staff member or volunteer for directions to these resources. We encourage you to take breaks, connect with your support systems, and honor your own needs as you engage with this important work.

Reporting Concerns:

If you experience or witness a violation of this Code of Conduct, or if you feel unsafe for any reason, please report it immediately to any member of the conference team. Conference team members can be identified by their “Staff" badge designation.

All reports will be taken seriously, handled with discretion and care, and investigated promptly. The identity of the reporting individual will be kept confidential to the fullest extent possible to make an effective investigation. You may report on behalf of someone else or share a concern about behavior you observed, even if you were not the direct target.

Reports of violations you heard about bud did not witness will be heard, but they ware more difficult to act upon fairly or effectively. We encourage those with direct experience of any potential breach of the Code of Conductto make the report themselves.

No retaliation for good-faith report. Conference organizers are committed to protecting reporters and will take appropriate steps to ensure their safety and wellbeing throughout and after the reporting process.

Bad-faith reports made to target, suppress, or intimidate another individual, their experiences, or perspectives will not be accepted and may result in a disciplinary response (see below), including the removal of the reporter from the conference.

Enforcement and Disciplinary Actions:

COVA reserves the right to take any disciplinary action it deems appropriate in response to a Code of Conduct violation. Actions may include, but are not limited to, a private verbal or written warning, mandatory mediation or restorative conversation, removal from a specific session or event, revocation of conference credentials without refund, and/or a ban from future conferences and affiliated events. The severity of the response will be proportional to the nature and impact of the violation, as determined by COVA, with the safety and well-being of affected individuals as the primary consideration.

In cases involving potential criminal conduct — including but not limited to assault, threats, stalking, or sexual misconduct — conference organizers will assist the affected individual in contacting appropriate law enforcement authorities, if they choose to do so. The decision to involve law enforcement will always rest with the affected individual, and conference staff will provide support regardless of that decision.

This Code of Conduct may be updated as needed.