Awareness Concept

1. Guiding Principles

The Falling Walls Foundation organises major international events each year, including the Falling Walls Science Summit, the Berlin Science Week, and the Creative Bureaucracy Festival. These events bring together people from a wide range of fields. This diversity is a great enrichment for us.

All people attending an event of the Falling Walls Foundation should feel safe and comfortable. We aim to create an environment of respectful interaction that does not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment. This guideline establishes the framework for conducting safe and respectful events by the Falling Walls Foundation.

1.1. Definition: Awareness

“Awareness” refers to a state of consciousness, understanding and sensitivity towards the experiences, needs, and boundaries of others. It involves creating a culture in which individuals, as well as entire communities or institutions, are encouraged to recognise when personal boundaries have been or are being crossed.

Awareness addresses all forms of discrimination and violence, including physical and verbal forms, while also emphasising the importance of being attentive to people’s well-being, safety and sense of belonging.

1.2. Definition: Awareness Work

Awareness work aims to create an environment in which all people, regardless of characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, religion, skin colour, background, appearance, age, or physical abilities, can feel as safe, respected, and comfortable as possible.

The aim is to prevent situations involving boundary violations and violence by raising awareness of existing structures, reflecting on them, and addressing them proactively. If such situations do occur, trained staff are available for affected individuals to turn to for advice, support, and assistance.

Awareness requires individuals, organisations, and events to engage with power structures and forms of discrimination in order to prevent sexualised violence, discrimination, and violations of personal boundaries as effectively as possible. Awareness should be understood as an ongoing process that is integrated into all areas of event planning and organisation.

1.3. Aims

  • Protection of affected individuals, provided they state that they need assistance
  • Raise awareness of all forms of boundary violations.
  • Address structural inequalities and thereby enable everyone to access our events as safely and inclusively as possible.

1.4. Foundation

  • The needs of the affected person are the highest priority (consent-based approach).
  • Awareness staff develop an understanding of individual boundaries in order to respond to the affected person’s subjective experience as appropriately and sensitively as possible.
  • Only the affected person can determine whether a situation was experienced as a boundary violation, and all measures that will be taken by the Falling Walls Foundation will be taken in consultation with the affected person.

2. Principles of Awareness Work

2.1. Boundary Violations and Discriminatory Behaviour

The definition of whether a boundary violation has occurred lies solely with the affected person. For example, unwanted touching, unsolicited dancing towards someone, or persistent verbal advances may be perceived as intrusive or inappropriate behaviour.

However, sexualised boundary violations are not the only reason why people may feel uncomfortable at a party or event. Racist, antisemitic, sexist, and/or homophobic or transphobic behaviour can range from verbal insults and harassment to physical attacks.

2.2. Power of Definition

The concept of the power of definition refers to the principle that, due to individual emotional and physical boundaries, only the affected person can determine when violence begins, when boundaries have been crossed, and what they perceive as violence. The focus is placed on the affected person and their experience, rather than on the person who caused harm.

Regardless of how the violation occurred, the affected person’s perception and experience must always be respected. If a person identifies an experience as a violation, this must be acknowledged. The affected person should not be pressured to provide details or repeatedly recount what happened. Any discussion of the incident should take place only with the affected person’s consent and with the purpose of offering support.

2.3. Principle of Consent

Action is taken only with the affected person’s consent.

2.4. Principle of Advocacy

The Falling Walls Foundation Awareness Team acts in the interest of the affected person and does not seek to adopt a neutral position between the affected person and the person accused of the violation. In many cases, one person’s account stands against another’s, often to the disadvantage of the affected person. Awareness work is based on listening to affected persons, taking their experiences seriously, and supporting them in pursuing the actions or outcomes they wish to achieve.

2.5. Personal Boundaries

For those carrying out awareness work at the Falling Walls Foundation, it is important to recognise, respect, and communicate their own boundaries, particularly as they often fulfil a dual role by supporting the event while also serving as awareness staff.

Only those who feel able to provide support should do so. If a member of the awareness team reaches their personal limits, responsibility for the situation may be handed over to another team member. In addition, support may be discontinued if the person receiving support repeatedly disregards the boundaries of the person providing support.

3. Implementation / Practical Application

The period during which awareness support is required corresponds to the timeframe of the event team’s responsibilities. It begins when the first visitor enters the event venue and ends once the last visitor has left the venue.

For each event, one or more members of the Falling Walls Foundation event team are designated as part of the Awareness Team in advance. One person will take on the role of Awareness Lead for the respective period. The members of the Awareness Team are trained in awareness and supportive intervention and are briefed on their responsibilities before the event. All Falling Walls Foundation staff are provided with the awareness concept in advance and are expected to familiarise themselves with its content.

The Info Point serves as the central point of contact for guests seeking support. The Awareness Team can be contacted via the Info Point and through the designated awareness email address. Depending on the duration of the event, several trained members of the Awareness Team may take turns in this role to ensure that support is available throughout the event. The awareness email address is also available for enquiries and reports before and after the event.

If a member of staff is approached by a guest who asks for support, they should refer the guest to the Info Point or contact a member of the Awareness Team directly. If requested by the guest, the member of staff may accompany them to the Info Point. The guest’s wishes should be respected at all times. Staff members should generally refer awareness-related concerns directly to the Awareness Team rather than attempting to provide specialised support themselves.

FAQs and key information on the awareness concept will be made available at the relevant service and information points to provide staff with guidance on how to respond to requests for support. Awareness posters will be displayed throughout the public areas of the venue. The posters provide information about the awareness concept, explain how the Awareness Team can be contacted and include the designated awareness email address and a QR code linking to the full awareness concept.

Following contact with the Awareness Team, an appropriate space for the guest to withdraw from the situation will be identified. As Falling Walls Foundation events take place at different venues, there is no permanently designated retreat space. If possible, the appropriate space for each event will therefore be identified and communicated in advance. If no separate room is available, a suitable quiet area within the venue will be used. The space provides an opportunity to talk about what has happened, take some time to recover and discuss possible next steps.

After each contact with a guest, the Awareness Lead is required to complete an anonymised documentation form. This allows cases to be reviewed retrospectively while protecting the anonymity and privacy of those involved.

3.1. Information provided to guests

  • Awareness posters will be displayed throughout the public areas of the venue. They will provide information about the awareness concept, how to contact the Awareness Team, the designated awareness email address and a QR code linking to the full awareness concept.
  • A dedicated Awareness section will be provided on the Falling Walls Foundation website. It will contain further information about the awareness provision and make the full concept available.
  • A permanent awareness email address will be provided as an additional point of contact for questions, concerns and reports before, during and after events.

3.2. Responding to concerning or boundary-violating behaviour

  • Ask the affected person how they are doing.
  • Invite the affected person to share what has happened and how they perceived the situation.
  • Be mindful not to impose one’s own perception of the situation on the affected person. They may perceive the situation very differently.
  • If the affected person does not want support, this must be respected. They should nevertheless be informed about the awareness concept and reminded that they can seek support at a later stage if they wish to do so.

3.3. If the affected person requests support from the Awareness Team

  • Listen to the affected person and take them seriously.
  • Explain that any support provided will be based on the needs and wishes of the affected person. The affected person can be informed about further steps and measures, if desired.
  • Respect the wishes and needs of the affected person and put one’s own assumptions and preferences aside. For example, if the affected person does not want the person who behaved inappropriately to be excluded and there is no further risk, this should be respected.
  • Be cautious about physical contact.
  • Ask questions sensitively. The affected person should not feel that they have to justify or defend themselves. They may also feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about what has happened.
  • Offer appropriate support, such as a conversation or an opportunity to leave the situation, for example by going to a quiet area or leaving the venue.

Further support may include:

  • Contacting a person of the affected person’s choice who can come to the venue to support or collect them;
  • Providing a quiet moment in an appropriate retreat or quiet area, including water, tea or snacks where available;
  • Arranging a taxi for the affected person;
  • In a medical or psychological emergency, contacting the emergency services on 112;
  • Offering further professional support and information about relevant counselling and support services.

If the affected person expresses the wish that the person who behaved inappropriately be excluded from the event, this request will be reviewed by the event organiser and finally decided by the CEO. Security should be involved where available. If no security personnel are present, the person who behaved inappropriately should not be approached or excluded alone, and another member of the Falling Walls Foundation event team should always be involved.

4. Support Services

Support services generally provide counselling and psychosocial support throughout legal proceedings, including support during the reporting of an incident to the police. They may also assist in finding appropriate therapy and provide further support as required.

4.1. General Support Services

LADG Ombudsperson’s Office
The LADG Ombudsperson’s Office is the central advisory and mediation body of the state of Berlin for cases of discrimination. It provides free, confidential and independent advice and support to people who have experienced discrimination in Berlin. It supports individuals in asserting their rights under the Berlin State Anti-Discrimination Act (LADG) and can provide guidance on possible further steps.
Telephone: +49 30 9013 3456
Email: beschwerde@ladg-os.berlin.de
Website: www.berlin.de/sen/lads/recht/ladg/ombudsstelle

ReachOut Berlin
ReachOut provides counselling and support for people affected by racist and right-wing violence, as well as related forms of discrimination and hostility. Support includes emotional and psychosocial support, assistance in deciding on further steps, information on legal options, support with reporting incidents and referrals to other specialist services. Counselling is free of charge, confidential and, if desired, anonymous. Counselling is available in several languages and language support can be arranged where required.
Telephone: +49 157 55837804
Email: beratung@reachoutberlin.de
Website: www.reachoutberlin.de

Berliner Krisendienst
The Berliner Krisendienst provides free, professional support and crisis intervention for people experiencing psychological or psychosocial crises. The service is available around the clock and can be accessed anonymously if desired. The Berliner Krisendienst provides support by telephone and, at its regional locations, in person. In particularly urgent situations, support can also be provided at the location of the crisis.
Telephone: +49 30 390 63-00
Website: www.berliner-krisendienst.de/en

Telephone Counselling Service (Telefonseelsorge)
The Telephone Counselling Service provides free and anonymous counselling and emotional support.
Telephone (24 hours): 0800 1110111 or 0800 1110222
Website: www.telefonseelsorge.de

Gewaltschutzambulanz – Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
The Gewaltschutzambulanz at Charité provides forensic medical examinations and documentation of injuries resulting from violence. Following sexualised violence, confidential forensic evidence collection is possible without reporting the incident to the police via designated women’s clinics. Medical care and forensic documentation can be arranged depending on the circumstances and the wishes of the person affected.
Telephone: +49 30 450 570 270
Website: www.gewaltschutzambulanz.charite.de/en

RIAS Berlin
RIAS Berlin is a civil society reporting and information centre for antisemitic incidents. It supports people who have experienced or witnessed antisemitism and documents incidents regardless of whether they are criminal offences. Incidents can be reported online.
Website: www.report-antisemitism.de

4.2. Violence against Women

Violence against Women Helpline
Counselling in 18 languages including sign language, online counselling via instant chat, available around the clock, free of charge and accessible even without phone credit.
Telephone: 0800 116 016
Website: www.hilfetelefon.de

LARA – Specialist Centre for Sexualised Violence
LARA provides confidential psychosocial counselling and support for women, trans*, inter* and non-binary people aged 14 and over who have experienced sexualised violence. Support includes crisis intervention, assistance in finding therapy and support during legal proceedings. Counselling is available in German and English; other languages can be arranged if required.
Telephone: +49 30 216 88 88
Email: beratung@lara-berlin.de
Website: www.lara-berlin.de/en/home

4.3. Violence against Men

Violence Against Men Helpline
The Violence Against Men Helpline provides confidential and, if desired, anonymous support for men affected by violence. Counselling is available by telephone as well as online via chat and email.
Telephone: 0800 123 99 00
Email: info@maennerberatung.de
Website: www.maennerhilfetelefon.de/en

4.4. Violence against LGBTIQ+ People

MANEO
MANEO is an anti-violence project in Berlin that supports gay and bisexual men and other people affected by homophobic and transphobic violence. It offers counselling and support after attacks, including help with reporting incidents to the police. The counselling hotline is available daily from 5 to 7 pm.
Telephone: +49 30 216 33 36
Email: opferhilfe@maneo.de
Website: www.maneo.de

TransInterQueer (TrIQ)
TransInterQueer is a self-representation organisation and social centre for trans*, inter* and non-binary people in Berlin. It offers peer counselling and psychosocial support, in person as well as by telephone, email and video call.
Telephone: +49 30 7695 2515
Email: beratung@transinterqueer.org
Website: www.transinterqueer.org