Anti-Harassment Policy

​The Brooklyn Speculative Fiction Writers is an inclusive writing group and strives to be a safe space for all. Writers are vulnerable when their work is being critiqued, but even when it is not, writers are still human and deserve to feel respected and supported.

While freedom of communication is encouraged,  abusive or harassing communication will not be tolerated. We may disagree on many things in and out of the context of critique, but that gives no one permission to lash out at or be disrespectful of another writer. We are all individuals and personalities will not always blend. Above all, aim for tolerance and understanding in all group-related interactions.

Meetings frequently take place in the homes and apartments of members. Never at any time should anyone be made to feel unsafe where they live as a result of any activity related to the group.

​BSFW has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind, which can include, but is not limited to:

• stalking
• ​intimidation
• physical assault and/or battery
• harassing
• bullying
• non-consensual photography or recording
• professional harassment (plagiarism, slander, libel, etc…)
• sustained disruption of meetings or other events
• inappropriate physical contact

Unwelcome attention in relation to, but not limited to:

• race
• color
• national origin
• gender
• gender identity
• gender presentation
• sexual orientation
• age
• body size
• disability
• appearance
• religion
• citizenship
• pregnancy

​Anyone can report harassment and or behavior of the kind listed above. If someone’s behavior has made you uncomfortable, whether in the context of a meeting or in electronic communication outside of a meeting, or if you witness something happening to someone else, you should immediately contact one of the BSFW organizers.

• You can contact the grievance panel here to initiate a report. Or if you do not feel comfortable doing so, you may contact an organizer in BSFW that you trust to relay the complaint.

Harassment reported to a BSFW organizer will result in an in-depth investigation.

BSFW reserves the right to remove members from the group, without a reason given. If a member is felt to be a danger to others, they may be reported to Meetup.com or to the police, as appropriate.