HELIX Harassment Protocol

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Purpose

1.1 This protocol describes the measures needed to prevent harassment – including sexual harassment – at the HELIX SUMMIT, which will take place on 13, 14, 15 and 16 May 2025. It also sets out the actions that should be taken if this type of harassment occurs.

1.2 This protocol in itself demonstrates the zero-tolerance policy of the HELIX SUMMIT with respect to sexual harassment or harassment on the grounds of gender. The event organisers are committed to providing an inclusive, respectful and safe environment for all those participating.

1.3 This protocol is complementary to and does not interfere with the application of other relevant policies, regulations, rules and provisions, where applicable.

2. Scope

2.1. The protocol applies in all the event spaces and to all event participants regardless of whether they are an instructor, attendee, supplier or employee.

2.2 HELIX is responsible for applying and acting in accordance with the protocol with respect to the event it is organising. HELIX will also be responsible for applying and acting in accordance with the protocol if any person against which a complaint is made is an employee or supplier of the HELIX SUMMIT organisers.

 

II. PROHIBITED BEHAVIOURS

3. What is harassment?

3.1. For the purposes of this protocol, harassment is any inappropriate verbal, non-verbal or physical behaviour that is offensive or humiliating for another person or which could reasonably be perceived in this way.

3.2. Harassment creates an intimidating, degrading, offensive, humiliating and hostile environment that endangers or may threaten the physical and emotional integrity of the victim, and hinders their ability to do their job or to conduct their professional affairs.

3.3. Any form of harassment on the grounds of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical ability, physical appearance, ethnicity, race, nationality, political affiliation, age, religion or on any other grounds is prohibited during the HELIX SUMMIT.

4. Sexual Harassment

4.1 Sexual harassment is a specific type of prohibited behaviour. Sexual harassment is any unwanted sexual behaviour that is offensive or humiliating for another person or which could reasonably be perceived in this way.

4.2 Sexual harassment can be verbal, non-verbal or physical. It may occur via written or electronic communication and it can happen between people of the same gender or different genders.

The following is a list of behaviours that constitute sexual harassment. It is illustrative only and not exclusive:

  • Unwanted sexual suggestions, comments or propositions.
  • Staring at someone in a manner which is sexually suggestive.
  • Deliberate, excessive, unnecessary and unwanted physical touch or proximity that makes the recipient feel harassed.
  • Unwanted touch including pinching, patting/slapping, groping or intentionally brushing against someone.
  • Sexual gestures.
  • Telling sexual or lewd anecdotes or jokes.
  • Sending sexual content in any format.
  • Sharing or displaying images or videos of a sexual nature in any format.
  • Recording people without their consent in private spaces such as changing rooms or bathrooms.
  • Watching or monitoring someone in an extreme, continuous and sexually suggestive manner.
  • Committing or attempting to commit sexual abuse or assault.

 

III. PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT OF PRESUMED SEXUAL HARRASSMENT

5. Guiding Principles

5.1 The following principles should guide all actions taken in the event of sexual harassment:

  • Respecting and protecting those affected: the utmost discretion should be employed to protect the privacy and dignity of those affected. Actions or procedures should be implemented with good judgement and without prying into irrelevant matters which have no bearing on the facts.
  • Final determination : the rights of the person affected must be upheld. Beyond this procedure, they must remain free to pursue other legal or administrative channels, including criminal proceedings.
  • Confidentiality: anyone involved in this procedure or who is aware of a decision taken is obliged to maintain strict confidentiality and discretion. They are prohibited from communicating or sharing information about the procedure itself and/or the decision.
  • Preventing revictimisation: steps should be taken to avoid unnecessarily repeating the facts and to prevent the identity of the person who made the complaint from being made public.
  • Prohibiting reprisals: measures must be taken to avoid and prevent reprisals against those who make a complaint, witnesses or anyone who supports a claim of harassment.

 

6. How to make a complaint

6.1 Anyone at the HELIX SUMMIT who feels they are a victim of harassment, and anyone who witnesses harassment taking place, can make a complaint:

6.1.1 They may communicate the information to their immediate superior or to someone they trust, who in turn should phone the relevant person.
6.1.2 They may approach any member of the organising team directly. These people will be easily identifiable and aware of the established procedure. Anyone receiving a complaint of alleged harassment at the HELX SUMMIT must immediately pass the complaint to the Management Committee, which will decide how to act. Regardless of any specialist and urgent measures taken by staff, the Management Committee will enter the complaint in the Ethics Channel of IL3 and will process it in accordance with the internal regulations of the organisation and the procedure set out in this protocol.

The victim of the alleged harassment may pursue other actions including filing a report with the police or taking legal action.

6.2 The Management Committee must follow the procedure below if it becomes aware of a complaint:

  • The person appointed by the Management Committee to manage the protocol will contact the presumed victim to ascertain the facts. They will also contact the accused to ask for their version of events.
  • HELIX SUMMIT will take appropriate action based on whether the accused is a supplier (or an employer of this), speaker or attendee and in accordance with the seriousness of the incident.

6.3 The following is a non-exhaustive list of possible appropriate measures:

  • Ask the accused to immediately stop the offensive behaviour.
  • Suspend or prohibit the accused from attending the HELIX SUMMIT. If appropriate, their participation/attendance at future events by HELIX or by the three organisers should be refused.
  • Refer the complaint to a body authorised to conduct an investigation or to adopt disciplinary measures with respect to the person accused of harassment.
  • Refer the complaint to the relevant jurisdiction, notwithstanding the right of the person affected to pursue any legal actions they consider necessary.


7. Awareness and dissemination

HELIX SUMMIT will disseminate this protocol among employees and collaborators taking part in the event and will provide the means necessary to ensure it is properly communicated and implemented. The protocol will also be published on the event website.