Know where to turn in case of transgressive behavior
Preventing transgressive behavior in the dance world is an increasingly urgent issue. How can your organization ensure a safe dance environment? Prevention requires various measures tailored to the risks within your dance school or company. Even with good preventive measures in place, it is possible that someone may experience inappropriate behavior. Therefore, it is important that everyone knows how and where to report it, with the assurance that it will be taken seriously and handled with care.
What Does a Confidential Advisor Do?
A confidential advisor plays an important role within an organization by contributing to a safe and respectful environment. The confidential advisor is there for both individual reporters and the organization as a whole.
A confidential advisor can be an important first step in sharing your story and receiving help. For reporters, the confidential advisor offers a listening ear, advice, and support in cases of transgressive behavior, such as sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying, or aggression. The confidential advisor collaborates with the reporter on possible solutions and stands by them in any next steps. The reporter will always remain in control of the process.
The conversation is confidential, and the confidential advisor will not share any information without consent, unless there is a serious crime involved.
Additionally, the confidential advisor supports the organization by providing education on social safety, advising management on preventive measures, and contributing to the development of policies regarding transgressive behavior. Through this dual role, the confidential advisor helps both in the early detection of issues and in creating an open and safe working atmosphere.
What to Consider When Choosing an External Confidential Advisor
Qualifications, Certification, and Expertise
- Check if the confidential advisor is certified, for example, through the National Association of Confidential Advisors (LVV).
- Verify if the confidential advisor has relevant training or continuing education in conflict mediation, inappropriate behavior, and integrity.
- Experience within the dance sector is a plus. Determine whether you are looking for a confidential advisor with experience in the dance sport, cultural sector, specifically dance, or performing arts.
- The confidential advisor should have knowledge of the (social) dynamics within your part of the dance sector.
Independence and Professional Skills
- No ties to the organization that could cause conflicts of interest.
- A completely objective role with no prior involvement with the organization.
- Clear and empathetic communication.
- Available for both verbal and written reporting.
Confidential Advisors in the Dance Sector
On this page, you will find an overview of accredited confidential advisors with knowledge of (part of) the dance sector.
Organizations can make their own agreements with a confidential advisor regarding the collaboration; Dance Safely does not play a mediating role in this.
Are you a confidential advisor with experience in the dance sector, or do you know someone who is?
Let us know via this form (Dutch), and we will include you in the overview.
Step-by-Step Plan
Do you want to appoint an (external) confidential advisor for your organization? The following step-by-step plan will help you be well-prepared. It provides insight into what to consider during the selection process and after appointing a confidential advisor.