Safer Spaces

We believe EVERYONE has the right to fringe in safer spaces where they are welcome and respected. We believe and support people who have experienced harassment, violence, or discrimination.

Toronto Fringe is committed to making festivals and art spaces that are vibrant, diverse, inclusive, welcoming, and safe. We’re dedicated to creating spaces where community thrives. Authentic safer spaces require commitment, accountability, and support from everyone in our community. We want to encourage inclusion, reduce opportunities for harm, and support victims, survivors, and allies who choose to report an incident.

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REPORT AN INCIDENT

If you witness or experience harassment, violence, or discrimination, please tell us. We will listen, and we will support you. Please submit a report at the link below. Reports may be made anonymously. 

https://fringetoronto.wufoo.com/forms/toronto-fringe-incident-report/

WAYS TO NOTIFY TORONTO FRINGE OF AN INCIDENT, AND FILE A REPORT

Reporting a disclosure or a complaint

Disclosure is sharing information about an incident. The informant may not wish anything to be done but are just letting us know - If public safety is a concern, we may initiate an investigation and will work closely with the person who reported the information, following their wishes as closely as we reasonably can.

Reporting is providing statement of allegations to the Safer Spaces Committee about an incident. In this instance we will follow procedures to ensure that action is taken. The person filing the report must submit their full name and contact information. 

We recognize the difference between a person disclosing information and a person filing a complaint and respect the right for individuals to make their own decision regarding how they choose to report an incident. Please note that anonymous disclosures limit our ability to conduct a thorough investigation.

Online Submission 
Any person may file a report by completing our online submission form located at fringetoronto.com. The form outlines who will receive and read the submission, as well as options for submitting anonymously. Additionally, the person can choose whether they are disclosing information or filing a formal complaint. If you file a disclosure but wish to escalate the report to a complaint after the fact, you may do so by emailing saferspaces@fringetoronto.com, or filling out the form again.  

Personal Statement 
Any person may make a personal statement to Fringe Staff, in person or by phone. The staff will walk the person through any steps required to submit a personal statement, such as whether they wish to remain anonymous, and whether they are choosing to disclose information or file a formal complaint. 

Email 
Any person may submit an email to our Safer Spaces committee by emailing saferspaces@fringetoronto.com

Processing a disclosure or complaint

Thank you for helping us maintain safer spaces by submitting a report. We are grateful for your willingness to come forward. All reports are received by the Toronto Fringe Safer Spaces Committee. For the 2023 Fringe Festival this included:

• Lucy Eveleigh, Executive Director (lucy@fringetoronto.com)
• Laura Paduch, Managing Director (laura@fringetoronto.com)
• Suzanne Wilkie, Associate Producer (suzanne@fringetoronto.com)
• Jules Vodarek Hunter, Community Support Coordinator (community@fringetoronto.com)
• Lucy McPhee, Executive Management Intern (lucy.mcphee@fringetoronto.com)

These staff members are committed to inclusivity and offering a supportive ear, but they are not professional counselors, social service responders, or mental health providers. We commit to connecting you to professional resources should you want or need them. If you are in need of further resources - visit our Crisis Resources document.

At times and when necessary, with consent of the claimant, the Toronto Fringe Safer Spaces Committee may expand to include members of the Board of Directors, professional service representatives such as crisis counsellors, or other relevant community connections that might soundly, conscientiously, and kindly direct the response process from a place of care and concern. 

All efforts will be made to review any report within 48 hours of filing. You may also directly email any one of these individuals to submit a report. 

Those persons providing their contact information or filing a formal complaint will receive follow up. Personal statements will be attended by a minimum of two Toronto Fringe staff for reasons of safety and transparency. 

Complaints or disclosures will be taken seriously and investigated to the extent that is reasonably practicable, using the following guidelines. The Safer Spaces Committee will: 

• Assume belief in people who have experienced or disclosed harassment, violence, or discrimination;
• Provide support and resources to persons who have experienced or been affected by the incident; 
• To the best of our ability, ensure the safety and privacy of those affected by the incident;
• Respect and follow the reasonable wishes of the person affected by the incident, assuming no others are in immediate danger; 
• When necessary, create a plan for investigation and/or adjudication in collaboration with Toronto Fringe leadership, the person disclosing, and with respect for people who have been affected.
• When necessary, impose interim measures; and
• Always strive to find a resolution that includes the needs of the people who have been affected. Toronto Fringe may consult senior management and staff, Toronto Fringe Festival Board of Directors, representatives from community partners, and professional experts (such as doctors, psychologists, and lawyers)., and/or in some cases, and only if absolutely necessary and/or requested by the person affected by the incident, police or emergency services. In these instances, we will strive to maintain confidentiality and anonymity as we are able.

SUBSTANTIATED REPORTS

Substantiated reports are defined as being reasonably authenticated by Toronto Fringe. 

If a report is substantiated, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken, as decided by Toronto Fringe. This may include, but is not limited to, formal reprimand, suspension, demotion, dismissal, removal and/or banning from events, activities, employment, or property. Substantiated reports may or may not include engaging local authorities and/or legal action. 

Additionally, Toronto Fringe may offer steps towards accountability to people who have experienced or disclosed harassment, violence, or discrimination.

Both parties to the incident will be advised, in writing, of the decision. 

If either party to an incident believes that the report is not being handled in accordance with this policy, they may contact the Toronto Fringe Board of Directors at board@fringetoronto.com, the Executive Director, or the Managing Director. Persons may also file a discrimination complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. 

RESOLUTIONS

Interim measures may be imposed on a person alleged to have committed an infraction. The purpose of this is to ensure personal safety, discourage or prevent further infractions, protect confidentiality, and to preserve our ability to conduct a thorough investigation. Interim measures must be appropriate and proportionate to the seriousness of the alleged conduct, and as minimally restrictive as possible to achieve their purpose. This may include, but is not limited to removal from events, activities, or the premises for a period. 

Informal resolutions may also be sought as a course of action. An informal resolution allows the participants a greater measure of control in the process and in the outcomes by having all parties: 

• agree to a resolution; 
• document the resolution in writing; and 
• sign the resolution, demonstrating their ownership for the self-enforced agreement. 

Lastly, a formal resolution may be engaged. This may be sought at any time, including if an informal resolution fails. 

Privacy & Confidentiality 

All parties to an incident are expected to respect the privacy and confidentiality of all other parties involved, limiting the discussion related to the incident to those that need to know.