Terms and conditions and code of conduct

PRM is committed to creating the best possible environment for everyone to experience Shibari workshops and events. We want you to learn new things in a safe and comfortable environment.

PRM students, teachers, staff and participants at our events are required to comply with these terms and conditions in addition to our Code of Consent and Conduct.

We do not tolerate violations of our code of conduct in any form. If any PRM participant engages in harassing behaviour, we will take prompt action to stop the harassment. This may include warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. The PRM Team reserves the right to exclude serious and/or repeated code of conduct violators on a long term or permanent basis.

If you experience a breach of this code at any of our event or class, please bring your concerns to one of the teachers. We will treat these issues with the strictest confidentiality.

Tickets

• Unless otherwise stated, all tickets grant one person access to a single class, course or event.
• Tickets sales are final, and tickets are non-refundable but they can be transferred to an other person. Message PRM on facebook or instagram or email us at info.peerropemelbourne@gmail.com to provide the new name and person information.
• Refunds will only be issued in accordance with the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, Department of Fair Trade, or at PRM’s discretion.

Admittance

• PRM reserves the right to refuse entry at the discretion of staff or instructors, irrespective of an attendee being in possession of a valid ticket.
• Entrance to PRM is conditional on attendees accepting responsibility for their behaviour in and around the venue. We want everyone to have a good time so please respect others when at or near the venue.
• Entrance to PRM is conditional on attendees not being intoxicated or under the influence of illicit substances.
• PRM is an education space – no sexual activities and BDSM play may be engaged in our classes and events.

Underaged Persons

• Entry to PRM will be refused to anyone under 18 without exception.
• Attendees will be required to show PRM staff and instructors government issued photo ID proving their age if requested.

Safety

• PRM welcomes people from all walks of life and does not tolerate discrimination on any grounds – if you behave in a violent, harassing or threatening manner, whether verbally or physically, you will be asked to leave.
• We do not tolerate any form of harassment or abuse (verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual). Harassment includes offensive verbal comments (related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion), deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of classes or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
• We do not tolerate the use of misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or racist language.
• Consumption of alcohol during educational events run by PRM is prohibited – attendees that appear to be intoxicated will not be permitted to enter our events.
• As it is a criminal offence to possess, consume or distribute illicit drugs – attendees using, or dealing drugs in PRM will be asked to leave and the police may be notified.
• Please bring any dangerous behaviour or conditions to the attention of staff or instructors.

Courtesy

• We ask that all attendees leave the venue quietly and show respect to our neighbours.
• There can be no definitive list of behaviours, comments or situations which make people feel uncomfortable. You should always consider how your actions are affecting others and modify your behaviour as appropriate.
• If you are not a teacher, do not offer unsolicited advice to your fellow students during classes or events.
• Please be respectful to event organisers, teachers, volunteers and venue staff, even if you are experiencing a momentary personal frustration.

Consent

This applies to everyone involved with PRM, including teachers, staff, volunteers, students, participants and attendees. 

Consent is a mutually understood agreement, entered freely and willingly, granting a specific set of permissions that can be withdrawn at any time.

• Explicit verbal consent must be obtained before intentionally touching anyone. It is the responsibility of the person initiating the activity to ensure consent has been gained prior to starting.
• Never assume there exists an implied consent.
• Be as specific as possible when asking for consent.
• If the nature of the activity changes or the participants understanding changes then consent for the change must be sought otherwise the activity must end.
• Be aware that any participant can withdraw consent at any time.
  • Someone cannot be held to a predetermined agreement. Consent must be ongoing.
• Respect indecision (it means there is not consent).
  • Do not set out to convince someone of an answer or to change their mind.
• Gain consent for each different activity.
  • Consent to one thing does not imply consent to anything else.
• Make every effort to understand coercive influences. We encourage everyone to be aware that “Yes” does not always mean “Yes”. Consent should always be enthusiastic, informed and continual.

People who have breached consent will be asked to leave the space. They will be unable to return unless they are actively engaged in an accountability process and follow all the terms and/or demands of that process (according to the facilitators, the survivor, and/or whomever has been designated to monitor the agreements emerging from the process).

Dealing With Grievances

If you feel unsafe or experience any behaviour which crosses your boundaries or violates this policy, please approach a PRM member with whom you feel comfortable talking to. They can talk to you about how you wish to resolve the issue and can act on your behalf if you desire.

PRM recognises that, despite our best efforts and intention that we cannot simultaneously be everything for everyone. As such we will always endeavour to do our best and use our best judgement.

Acknowledgment of Limitations

We understand that this policy cannot cover every situation. As such we welcome the continuing discussion about and improvement of this policy. If you have any concerns, suggestions or comments please let us know.

In all situations the PRM Team will use their best judgement and discretion to resolve the situation.

This policy is in no way designed to replace or prevent people from taking other actions or involving any authorities they see fit.

Liability Waiver

By purchasing tickets or entering the premise of PRM or an event organised by PRM you agree to the following:

PRM reserves the right to alter or cancel, without prior notice, any of the arrangements relating directly or indirectly to an event, for any circumstances beyond the PRM’s reasonable control. This includes the cancellation of an event itself.

PRM’s maximum liability is limited to a full refund of the workshop registration fee. PRM accepts no additional liability for travel costs, hotel costs, or any other additional costs incurred.

I understand, acknowledge, and agree that the activities undertaken at PRM are dangerous and as such, have inherent dangers and risks, including risk of injury or death. I acknowledge that the activities I undertake at PRM or learnt at PRM are at my own risk and therefore it would be unreasonable for PRM to be responsible in any way for any injury or death. I hereby waive all legal rights of action against PRM, its directors, instructors, employees, landlords and leases for the loss, damages or injuries arising out of or in relation to the participation by myself in the activities conducted or organised by PRM. Including, without limitation, liability of any negligent or tortuous act or omission, breach of duty, breach of contract or breach of statutory duty on the part of PRM or related parties.

I confirm that I assume the risk of, and the responsibility for any injury resulting from my participation in my activities. I participate in activities at my sole risk and responsibility and release, indemnify and hold harmless PRM.

Code of Consent and Conduct

This code applies to everyone involved in or attending PRM. In your role at PRM and at other times as a representative of PRM, you are expected to uphold our Code of Consent and Conduct. This code applies both at PRM, as well as in the wider community. This code is not comprehensive; real world situations often involve a complicated interaction of factors (this should never be an excuse). In situations that are ambiguous, you are unsure of what to do, or the situation is not covered by the Code of Consent and Conduct, consult PRM Management for advice. If you have any suggestions please email them to events@intimatehorizons.com

We do not expect you to be perfect. We do expect you to strive to be the best version of yourself, and to help others uphold this Code of Consent and Conduct. If you notice something that does not sit right with you, please bring it up with the PRM Team and reference the code of conduct.

Integrity

Integrity is the value of striving to apply all ethical considerations consistently across different situations and throughout our lives. We expect everyone involved in PRM to be a positive example of Ethical BDSM practitioners at all times.

Consent

Consent is a mutually understood agreement, entered freely and willingly, granting a specific set of permissions that can be withdrawn at any time.

• Explicit verbal consent must be obtained before intentionally touching anyone. It is the responsibility of the person initiating the activity to ensure consent has been gained prior to starting.
• Never assume there exists an implied consent.
• Be as specific as possible when asking for consent.
• If the nature of the activity changes or the participants’ understanding changes then consent for the change must be sought, otherwise the activity must end.
• Be aware that any participant can withdraw consent at any time.
  • Someone cannot be held to a predetermined agreement. Consent must be ongoing.
• Respect indecision (it means there is not consent).
  • Do not set out to convince someone of an answer or to change their mind.
• Respect someone saying no.
  • If someone says no, do not ask them that thing again.
  • Be gracious in accepting someone saying no to you.
• Gain consent for each different activity.
  • Consent to one thing does not imply consent to anything else.
• Make every effort to understand coercive influences. We encourage everyone to be aware that “Yes” does not always mean “Yes”. Consent should, at all times, be enthusiastic, informed and continual.
• Be honest. Consent is uninformed if it is gained through dishonesty.

This specifically means in a class situation:

• Always ask consent before touching someone, explaining where you are touching them and the purpose.
  • Eg “May I touch the rope on your arm to check the tension?”
  • Eg “May I complete the tie at the back to show this rigger the path?”
  • Eg “Do you mind if I show you where you place your hands?”
• Do not rely on global consent.
  • Make sure you ask each person the first time and ideally every time before touching them.
  • Tell people they can withdraw consent to being touched at any time by either informing you out loud at the start or quietly in person. Still try to ask every time.
  • Consent in previous classes or other situations does not imply consent in the present.
  • Do not ask the entire class for pre-emptive or blanket consent.
    • Do not say at the start of class, “does anyone not consent to being touched?”
    • Instead explain, “Throughout the course of class, it may be beneficial at times for me to touch you or the rope on you. I will do my best to ask each of you individually before doing so. It is also your responsibility to make sure that I am aware if you withdraw consent to do so at any time.”
• Additionally, if you are not the person running the class, ensure you also have consent, from the person running the class, to demonstrate or assist others (in addition to the consent from the specific person you wish to touch).

Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality

You may have access to personal information about individuals or financial and other confidential matters.

As such it is a condition of your engagement as a Volunteer that you will not disclose any such personal, confidential, or sensitive information that you may receive.

You shall not use or attempt to use any such information in any manner which may cause or be calculated to cause injury or loss to either the organisation or its customers.

Honesty

We expect everyone involved at PRM to uphold the value of honesty. Honesty means never deceiving another or oneself through either actions, words or omission. Being honest means compassionately and kindly communicating information that is relevant to your interactions with another.

Inclusivity

PRM welcomes people from all walks of life and does not tolerate discrimination on any grounds!

We do not tolerate any form of harassment or abuse (verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual). Harassment includes offensive verbal comments (related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion), deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of classes or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

We do not tolerate the use of misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or racist language.

As a representative of PRM we expect you to do your utmost to use respectful, inclusive language and behaviours.

Living Document

Ethics and ideologies, as well as our understanding of them, can change over time. As such this is a living document. This means that we will do our best to update it to reflect current best practices and our beliefs. We also cannot hope to produce a comprehensive guide. As such we will update this document based on experience gained and suggestions made. 

We understand that this policy cannot cover every situation. As such we welcome the continuing discussion about and improvement of this policy. If you have any concerns, suggestions or comments please let us know either by emailing info.peerropemelbourne@gmail.com  or by contacting a PRM Team member.