Beneath the Surface AU
Version 1.1 : Effective 14 August 2026
Policy Scope
Applies to all workshops, keynote speeches, community events, and online sessions delivered by or on behalf of Beneath the Surface AU. Covers all participants, event attendees, and guest speakers. Facilitator conduct is governed separately by the Child Safety Policy; host organisation conduct obligations are set out in the Child Safety Pre-Engagement Form.
1. Commitment
1.1. Beneath the Surface AU is committed to creating learning environments that are safe, respectful, and trauma-informed. BTS AU operates at the intersection of lived experience, education, and advocacy. Many people who attend sessions carry their own histories with homelessness, domestic abuse, mental health challenges, and trauma. This Code of Conduct reflects that reality.
1.2. BTS AU believes that safety is relational. Safer spaces require both the organisation and participants to show up with care, honesty, and mutual respect. This Code sets out what participants can expect from BTS AU, and what BTS AU asks of participants in return.
1.3. This Code operates alongside the Child Safety Policy and does not replace it. That policy governs additional safeguarding requirements for sessions where children (persons under 18) are present.
2. Who This Applies To
2.1. This Code applies to:
- All participants attending BTS AU workshops, courses, or learning events
- All attendees at keynote speeches, community dinners, forums, or public events delivered by BTS AU
- Guest speakers or panellists appearing alongside BTS AU at any event
2.2. Facilitator conduct is governed by the Child Safety Policy and BTS AU’s internal professional standards. Host organisation conduct obligations are established through the Child Safety Pre-Engagement Form, where applicable.
2.3. Child-specific requirements: Where participants include persons under 18 years of age, the Child Safety Policy applies in full. The standards in this Code operate in addition to those requirements, not instead of them.
3. What BTS AU Commits To You
3.1. Content warnings. BTS AU workshops and speeches address domestic abuse, homelessness, violence, and may include reference to suicide and sexual assault. BTS AU will deliver a verbal content warning at the start of every session before any sensitive content is introduced.
3.2. Right to disengage. Participants may step outside at any time during a session for any reason. There is no follow-up, no record of who left, and no judgement. You are welcome to return when you are ready.
3.3. No pressure to disclose. BTS AU’s content is delivered from lived experience for educational purposes. Participants are never required to share their own experiences, history, or personal story. Contribution is always voluntary.
3.4. No recording of participants. BTS AU will not photograph, film, or record participants at any session without explicit prior written consent. BTS AU does not use images or recordings of participants in any marketing, publication, or promotional material.
3.5. Support referral. At the close of every session involving sensitive content, BTS AU will verbally communicate available support services (see Section 9).
3.6. Honest and timely response to concerns. BTS AU will acknowledge all conduct concerns and complaints within 2 business days and respond fully within 10 business days (see Section 10).
3.7. Confidential handling of incident reports. Information provided in a complaint or incident report will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy 2026. Records are retained securely and are not shared with third parties except where required by law.
4. What We Ask of You
4.1. Respectful participation. Engage with the content, the facilitator, and other participants with respect. This means listening without interrupting, not dismissing others’ lived experience, and using language that does not demean, stereotype, or belittle.
4.2. Confidentiality. What is shared in the room stays in the room. Personal stories and disclosures made by the facilitator or other participants during a session are not to be shared outside that session, whether in conversation, on social media, or in any other form.
4.3. No recording or photography. Do not photograph, film, or record any part of a session (including slides, facilitated content, or other participants) without explicit prior written consent from BTS AU. This applies to audio recordings, screen captures, live streams, and any other capture method.
4.4. Respectful language. Do not use language that is discriminatory, dehumanising, or harmful in reference to any person, community, or identity. This includes language directed at the facilitator, other participants, or any group discussed in the session content.
4.5. Post-session boundaries. BTS AU’s role is educational, not therapeutic. The facilitator is not a counsellor, social worker, or ongoing support contact. Do not attempt to privately contact the facilitator outside of channels sanctioned by the host organisation or BTS AU. If you need support following a session, please access the services listed in Section 9 or speak with the host organisation’s welfare contact.
4.6. Respect for materials. BTS AU’s workshop slides, handouts, and session materials are protected by copyright and represent original intellectual property. Do not reproduce, circulate, or publish these materials without prior written permission from BTS AU.
5. Online Session Standards
Where sessions are delivered online, the following additional standards apply:
5.1. Do not take screenshots of other participants’ video feeds, names, or shared content without their consent.
5.2. Do not record or screen-capture any part of the session. This applies to all recording software, including built-in platform features and third-party tools.
5.3. Where possible, attend from a private space. This protects your own privacy and the confidentiality of others in the session.
5.4. Do not share the session link with anyone who was not invited by the host organisation.
5.5. These obligations are in addition to any platform-specific terms of use (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or other platform used for delivery).
6. Unacceptable Behaviour
The following behaviours constitute a breach of this Code:
6.1. Using discriminatory, derogatory, or threatening language toward any participant, facilitator, or third party, whether in person, online, or in any communication relating to a BTS AU event.
6.2. Harassing, intimidating, or directing hostile conduct at any person during or after a session.
6.3. Recording or photographing a session without prior written consent from BTS AU.
6.4. Sharing another person’s disclosure, story, or contribution from a session without their consent.
6.5. Reproducing or distributing BTS AU materials without permission.
6.6. Disrupting a session in a way that prevents safe or effective delivery.
6.7. Attempting private contact with the facilitator through unsanctioned channels, particularly following sessions where sensitive content was discussed.
7. Consequences
7.1. BTS AU reserves the right to ask a participant to leave a session if their conduct is breaching this Code or creating an unsafe environment for others. The host organisation will be notified immediately.
7.2. Where a serious breach occurs, BTS AU may decline to accept future bookings from the host organisation involved, or may place conditions on future delivery arrangements.
7.3. Where a breach may constitute a criminal offence (including harassment, stalking, or threats), BTS AU reserves the right to refer the matter to WA Police.
7.4. Consequences are proportionate to the conduct. This Code is not applied punitively.
8. Anti-Discrimination
8.1. BTS AU is committed to inclusion and does not tolerate discrimination on any ground. This commitment applies throughout all BTS AU activities, including workshops, events, online sessions, and any related communications.
8.2. Discriminatory conduct by any participant, attendee, or guest speaker, directed at any person on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, sexuality, religion, national origin, or any other protected attribute, is a breach of this Code.
8.3. Relevant federal legislation:
| Instrument | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) | Discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, intersex status, marital or relationship status, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and family responsibilities |
| Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) | Discrimination on the basis of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin |
| Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth) | Discrimination on the basis of age |
| Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) | Discrimination on the basis of disability |
8.4. Complaints regarding discrimination may also be directed to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) or the Equal Opportunity Commission of Western Australia (EOC WA).
9. Support and Wellbeing Resources
BTS AU acknowledges that session content may surface difficult emotions or memories. The following services are available at any time.
| Service | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 | Crisis support, 24/7 |
| 1800RESPECT | 1800 737 732 | Domestic violence and sexual assault support, 24/7 |
| Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636 | Mental health support, 24/7 |
| Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467 | Counselling and crisis support |
| Homeless Helpline WA | 1800 065 892 | Homelessness support referral, WA |
| Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800 | Free, confidential support (ages 5–25, 24/7) |
| headspace | 1800 650 890 | Youth mental health, for participants under 25 |
9.1. Host organisations are encouraged to have a counsellor, chaplain, or wellbeing officer available on the day of delivery. BTS AU’s role is educational. Pastoral follow-up is the responsibility of the host organisation.
10. Complaints and Reports
10.1. Any participant, attendee, or host organisation staff member may raise a concern about conduct, whether by another participant or by BTS AU itself, through the channels below.
10.2. Contact:
- Email: privacy@beneaththesurface.au
- Post: PO Box 48, Ballajura, Western Australia 6066
10.3. BTS AU will acknowledge all complaints within 2 business days and respond fully within 10 business days.
10.4. Where a complaint cannot be resolved directly with BTS AU, escalation is available through:
- The host organisation’s complaint or grievance process
- The Australian Human Rights Commission for discrimination complaints
- WA Police (000 or 131 444) where criminal conduct is involved
10.5. Information provided in a complaint is handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy 2026 and retained in line with BTS AU’s record-keeping obligations.
11. Policy Governance
11.1. This Code is reviewed annually, or earlier if:
- A breach occurs that is not adequately addressed by existing provisions
- BTS AU expands into new delivery contexts (e.g. residential programs, international delivery)
- Relevant legislation is amended
11.2. Amendments follow the BTS AU policy version control process:
- Minor amendments (v1.0 → v1.1): clarifications, formatting, non-material additions
- Major amendments (v1.x → v2.0): changes to participant rights, complaint timelines, or scope
11.3. The superseded version of this document is archived before any edits are made to the active version.