What is Consent?
At Nest, we agree to engage with the 11 Principles. Underpinning these is the philosophy of consent.
Consent can be transformative as a mindful practice that allows us to have and create opportunities for authentic engagement in our actions and with others. Every person is an individual, they have their own mind and body, and have the right to decide what they do and have done with both.
We encourage using the FIRES model of consent:
- Freely given – consent is not assumed or coerced,
- Informed – consent requires knowing what is involved,
- Reversible – consent can be withdrawn at any time,
- Enthusiastic – consent should be a yes not a maybe,
- Specific – consent to one thing does not mean consent to another.
Consent at Nest
Ongoing respect of others’ consent and boundaries is fundamental to enjoying a space like Nest. It means allowing everyone, including yourself, the right to feel comfortable and safe whilst we express ourselves in this hedonistic environment. With such a beautiful and infinite variety of personalities out there, we can all have different levels of vulnerability. So, it’s important to take careful consideration of what actions or statements might make someone feel uncomfortable, especially when meeting for the first time!
For more information on consent at Nest please look at the participant Code of Conduct to understand your responsibilities towards other Nestlings!
Consent Cafe at Nest
There will be a Consent Cafe in Free Camping. This is a relaxed and sober drop-in space where members of the Consent Team will be available for chats, discussions and questions. This is not a replacement for Welfare, but we do have tea, coffee and biscuits.
Consent in relation to:
Nudity and Sexual Expression
Nudity is a form of self expression and is allowed anywhere on site (but please bear in mind health and safety considerations). However, sexual activity must be kept to the adult theme camps or private tents/live-in vehicles – Nest is a family friendly event, and children will be attending.
Photography/Video
Not everyone wants to have every moment captured and immortalised on the internet… You must get explicit consent from all individuals before photographing or videoing them. You must also confirm their permission to use the photo/video publicly, whether it’s online, print or social media.
Be mindful that even taking someone’s photo may negatively impact someone’s burn.
No photos or videos may be used for commercial purposes.
Theme Camps
All theme camps at Burning Nest are expected to read and agree to the Theme Camp Consent Risk Guidance. Adult Theme Camps or camps hosting higher consent risk workshops are expected to liaise directly with the Nest Consent Team where additional guidance and training can be provided consent@burningnest.co.uk.
Workshops
Anyone offering a workshop or similar interaction with other participants is expected to read the Workshop Facilitator Consent Risk Guidance, regardless whether the workshop is published in the What Where When guide or is spontaneous. If there are any questions, facilitators can contact the Nest Consent Team consent@burningnest.co.uk.
Media Coverage and Press
We ask that you do not list our event in public Event Calendars or publish articles about the event without the express permission of the coordinators of the event. This does not extend to private blogs or public blogs aimed to share your own personal experience of Nest as opposed to promote the event itself. Contact comms@burningnest.co.uk for more information.
Reporting Incidents
If there is an immediate risk to life or limb, you must first notify a Ranger who will escalate to the Site Lead. Rangers move around the event site and can be contacted via an event radio.
If you wish to report a consent concern or incident to the Nest Consent Team, use one of the methods below.
Those marked with a star* can be used fully anonymously but we will also maintain your anonymity if you request it no matter how you contact us:
- Online Consent Reporting Form*: http://tinyurl.com/ConsentReportForm
- Nest Specific Consent email: consent@burningnest.co.uk
- In-Person: Consent Response volunteer available via event radio 9am-9pm.
- Written report drop boxes*: Forms, paper and pens are provided at each drop box. On-site locations TBC.
- Consent Cafe: Pink Gazebo in Free Camping.
What Next?
The Consent team takes reports very seriously, and follows up each one to the best of their ability.
Possible outcomes include:
- Education/advice given to theme camps, workshop facilitators, artists, participants, etc.
- Intervention or mediation
- Eviction from site (where decided by Site Lead and Incident Command Team)
- Restrictions/agreements established before returning to future events or in very serious cases being banned from a future event (where decided by the Event Safety Team)
The Burning Nest Consent Team
All Consent Team members have been vetted and have agreed to a stricter Code of Conduct than any other participant. Team members will act with a high level of integrity and be accountable for their actions.
If your concern or incident involves a member of the Consent Team (see the consent volunteer bios below), do not use any of the above reporting methods. Instead you should escalate to CK the Consent Lead directly.
If the Consent Lead is involved in your report then you should escalate to a member of the Nest Board of Directors. During the event you can ask for these people over the event radio; before or after the event email board@burningnest.co.uk.
What we do
- We are here to inform and educate the community on a broad range of consent related subjects to help make a safer Burn for all participants.
- We will review all reports made to our on-site drop boxes and the online form.
- We will escalate where needed especially if there is a time sensitive nature to a report.
- Several times a day, we update the Site Lead with any new information and are available to conduct further investigation and/or run mediation sessions.
- We can also support participants wishing to run consent related workshops if requested.
What we don't do
- We will not be working or on-call 24/7 during Nest - a decision was made not risk overstretching a team that had yet to be recruited.
- The existing structures for escalation and reporting urgent issues via rangers/welfare/site lead/security already exist but will be complimented by the consent reporting procedure.
- We will not be involved if there is a conflict of interest in handling reports. If reports are made against any of us, they will be escalated to be investigated impartially.
Safety and Wellbeing
Safety
The Consent Team is not an emergency response team.
If you need urgent help, contact the Rangers on site. They will escalate to Security, Medical, or Site Lead.
If it is a Consent issue, the team will be looped back in for follow-up actions if needed.
Wellbeing
If you need emotional support, head to Welfare Enough. Enjoy a cup of tea, some supportive words and a moment of calm away from it all.
Know your limits! Take care of yourself. The members of Welfare can share information about substance harm reduction if needed.
Take care of each other! Be kind and gentle with yourself and others.