Anti‐Harassment and Code of Conduct Policy
Providing a Safe Environment for all Attendees
The North American Vascular Biology Organization is dedicated to providing a safe and harassment‐free conference experience for everyone, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, physical appearance, body size, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form.
Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for any conference venue. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, age, religion or other areas of intimidation
- Sexual images in public spaces
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
- Harassing photography or recording
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Inappropriate physical contact
- Unwelcome sexual attention
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund.
Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event‐related social activities.
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible to any NAVBO staff person (there will always be a staff person at the registration desk throughout the meeting during all session hours). You can make a report either personally or anonymously. NAVBO will treat the report as confidentially as possible while addressing the behavior as promptly as possible.
Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone.
Important information and helpful links:
- If you have questions, concerns or complaints related to harassment, you are also encouraged to contact the NAVBO staff or the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
- For information on how to file a complaint with the HHS OCR, see OCR's webpage - Filing a Civil Rights Complaint
- Please note, you can file a complaint of discrimination with the HHS OCR prior to following a complaint with NAVBO and seeking assistance from NAVBO in no way prohibits filing a complaint with the HHS OCR.
- You can also notify NIH about concerns of harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate conduct at NIH-supported conferences (see NIH's Find Help webpage).
Photography within sessions is STRICTLY PROHIBITED
You may not record, photograph or capture in anyway, slides projected on screens or posters on display.