Safety & Consent

BloomDance Consent & Safety

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At BloomDance, we are committed to fostering a space where consent and respect are foundational. Our goal is to ensure that everyone feels safe, supported, and free to express themselves through dance. To create and maintain this environment, we have implemented both preventative measures and a clear process for addressing incidents should they arise.

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Consent Guidelines ​

1. Take Care of Yourself
Tune into how you're feeling and what feels good for you. Stay safe and be aware of how your movements affect others. (ex: If a dance feels too sensual, uncomfortable, ungrounded, or you're unsure whether you’d prefer dancing solo or with a partner, pause and check in with yourself.)

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2. Approach with Attunement
If you want to dance with someone, approach them gradually. Please do not touch a person without consent. If it’s not a clear yes, it’s a no. Respect people’s boundaries. (ex: If someone steps back or avoids eye contact, treat that as a no.)

 

3. Leave a Dance Anytime
You can leave a dance or activity anytime—whether after a few seconds or a few songs. There’s no bad time to step away. (ex: You might feel complete with the dance, want to explore dancing with others, take a break, get water, or use the bathroom.)

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4. No Explicitly Sexual Touch

If you're feeling sexual energy, slow down, breathe, focus on the rhythm, or explore dancing solo. Channel the energy into expressive movement rather than physical touch with others.

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5. Honor the “No”

A "no" isn’t about you—it’s about the other person’s comfort. Everyone has their own stuff going on. Respect it and find another dance partner or keep dancing solo. (ex: If someone declines a dance, it might be because they need water, a bathroom break, want to dance solo, are feeling overstimulated, or just need personal space.)

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6. Speak Up
You can say no to a dance or set a boundary at any time. Use body signals like prayer hands or a palm up for “no,” or step back to signal you're not available. If you feel comfortable, you can also speak directly, like saying, “Hey, I’m not comfortable with that.” If someone repeatedly crosses your boundaries or you feel unsafe, please speak with a facilitator in person or report the issue through the website. Clear communication helps keep the space safe and respectful for everyone.

 

Preventative Measures​

We prioritize consent at every level of our events. To support this, we’ve taken several proactive steps:

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• Consent Guidelines: Our consent guidelines are prominently displayed at the door, so everyone knows what to expect and how to respect boundaries.

• Opening Circle: During the opening circle, we discuss the importance of consent and encourage everyone to feel empowered to set boundaries throughout the evening.

• Support from Organizers: Our organizers, Adnan and Noé, are available throughout the night to offer support and help mediate any issues that may arise. We are here for you at any point during the event.

• BloomAmbassadors: We are currently training additional BloomAmbassadors to help ensure that everyone feels supported, safe, and respected during the event.

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Options if an Incident Occurs

If you experience or witness a consent-related issue, we encourage you to report it. We address both minor and serious incidents to ensure a safe and respectful space for everyone.

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1. Self-Resolution (For Minor Incidents)

​Many minor incidents stem from misunderstandings and can often be resolved through direct communication. If you feel safe doing so, we encourage you to address the situation with the other person. However, if you prefer, we are here to offer support.

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Examples of Minor Incidents:

• Someone unintentionally brushes against you during the dance and doesn’t notice.

• A dance partner moves closer than you’re comfortable with but adjusts when asked.

• A participant makes a comment or joke that feels off but doesn’t escalate.

 

​​2. Escalation to Us (For Minor or Serious Incidents)​

If you’re uncomfortable resolving the situation on your own, or if the incident is more serious, we are here to help. During the dance, you can reach out directly to Adnan or Noé. After the dance, you can submit an anonymous incident report or provide your contact information for follow-up.​

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Examples of Serious Incidents:

• Someone continues to touch or dance with you after you’ve clearly said no.

• Verbal harassment, such as inappropriate or degrading comments.

• Aggressive, intimidating, or threatening behavior that makes you feel unsafe.

• A pattern of repeated minor boundary violations by the same person.

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How We Handle Reports

We review all reports promptly to ensure the situation is addressed and that everyone feels supported.

• Minor Incidents: We may have a conversation to understand the issue and determine if further action is needed. This could involve mediation or education.

• Serious Incidents: We take these very seriously and may take additional steps, such as mediation, restorative justice processes, or, in extreme cases, banning individuals from the space to ensure safety.

 

If you choose to report anonymously, we will take note of the report but will not be able to follow up directly. However, we will still take appropriate action based on the information provided.​​

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Submit a Report

If you need to submit an incident report, please fill out our anonymous Google Form. Your voice matters, and we’re here to listen and take meaningful action. We are committed to transparency and will periodically share anonymized summaries of how incidents are handled to foster trust and improve our practices.

 

Thank you for helping us create a community where consent is prioritized, and everyone feels free to dance, connect, and thrive.