Safer Spaces Policy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Introduction

  • Attendee Conduct

  • Artist Conduct

  • Offensive Attire

  • Project Soundcheck Training

  • How to Access Support

  • Washrooms

  • Bag Checks

  • Venue Accessibility

  • Illegal Substances

  • Legal Substances

  • Land Acknowledgement 

INTRODUCTION

Everyone has the right to feel safe and included at The Cap - regardless of ancestry, colour, family status, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, mental or physical exceptionality, place of origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or source of income.

To this end, The Cap has developed a policy to help foster safer and more inclusive spaces - this covers events that take place in the Cap, Wilser’s Room, The Phoenix and all patio spaces. Copies of this document will be available behind every bar as well as main doors.

This document will be updated on an ongoing basis to ensure it meets the needs of our community. If you have questions or comments, please get in touch with us at info@thecaplive.com.

ATTENDEE/PATRON CONDUCT

The Cap does not tolerate abusive, disrespectful or discriminatory behaviour or language. Such language and behaviour is grounds for removal from the venue and may result in a permanent ban.

If you witness abusive or discriminatory behaviour at The Cap, please speak with any on-duty staff person. 

The Cap staff have the authority to remove offenders from the venue without any refund or other form of compensation. The safety of survivors is always our primary consideration, and any decision to remove or permanently ban an offender will be made on a case-by-case basis (in consultation with survivors when possible).

Attendees who have been removed or banned from the Cap may be given contact information for the John Howard Society and Fredericton Addictions & Mental Health Services, which they may choose to approach for education resources and guidance on next steps. As the safety and comfort of survivors is our primary concern, any steps taken with these organizations or through other methods have no bearing on whether attendees will be permitted to attend events at the Cap in the future.

Second chances may be offered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of The Cap staff. Any decision to offer a second chance will be made in consultation with survivors when possible.

Please note: We are a small staff and do not have the human resources to guarantee an immediate response to concerns about a person’s history or prior allegations. Regardless of timing, we will try to address all concerns as efficiently as possible.

We do not have the expertise or authority to mediate conflicts or provide advice on conflict or crisis resolution.

ARTIST CONDUCT

Artists with a history of abusive or discriminatory behaviour, or behaviour that is otherwise deemed detrimental to the creation of safer spaces at The Cap, are not welcome. All programming decisions are made in consideration of these concerns using the fullest extent of our knowledge. Please understand that with our small staff and limited human resources, there may be instances in which information has been missed.

We reserve the right to cancel any performance, without payment or other compensation, from an artist who we believe to have a history of abusive or discriminatory behaviour, or behaviour that is otherwise deemed detrimental to the creation of safer spaces at The Cap. Any decision to cancel an artist will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with survivors when possible.

Cancelled local artists will be given contact information for the John Howard Society of Fredericton Mental Health & Addiction Services, which they may approach for educational resources and guidance on next steps. As the safety and comfort of survivors is our primary concern, any steps taken with these organizations have no bearing on whether a cancelled artist will be invited to play The Cap in the future.

Second chances may be offered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of The Cap staff. The safety of survivors is always our primary consideration, and any decision to offer a second chance will be made in consultation with survivors when possible.

We do not have the expertise or authority to mediate conflicts or provide advice on conflict or crisis resolution.

OFFENSIVE ATTIRE

Offensive attire, including (but not limited to) hate symbols or culturally appropriative attire, is not welcome at The Cap. Such attire may be grounds for removal from the venue.

If you have concerns about offensive attire at The Cap, please speak with the Safer Spaces staff or any on-duty staff member. All incidents will be addressed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Cap staff when appropriate. Cap staff have the authority to remove offenders from the venue. Any decision to ban an offender is at the discretion of the Cap staff.

PROJECT SOUNDCHECK TRAINING

The Cap’s staff undergo annual Project Soundcheck training provided by Sexual Violence New Brunswick. Project Soundcheck provides Bystander Intervention training to help prevent sexual harassment and assault. Their Bystander Intervention training offers the practical skills needed to recognize when and how to help when witnessing power-based violence.

Project Soundcheck training is on an annual basis, so it is possible that new staff members may not have received this training at the time of an incident. New staff members are instructed to direct any concerns, incidents or issues to an appropriately trained staff member immediately.

ADDITIONAL STAFF TRAINING

In addition to Project Soundcheck training, staff also receive sensitivity training for underrepresented groups. This training is ongoing in its development.

HOW TO ACCESS SUPPORT

Sexual Violence New Brunswick provides toll-free, confidential, 24-hour sexual violence support line. Please call 506-454-0437 to access this important resource.

For other information or less immediate/urgent support, visit www.svnb.ca.

WASHROOMS

The Cap has gender-neutral washrooms on both floors (in The Cap & Wilser’s Room). If you hear or experience any form of harassment in the washrooms, please speak any staff member.

BAG CHECKS

Bag checks are completed at the entrance of the Cap as needed. Refusal to have your bag checked may result in a refusal of entry.

VENUE ACCESSIBILITY

The Cap’s main floor venue is physically accessible, by utilizing the ground-floor entrances. Please speak with security at either entrance to access the ground-floor entrances.

Unfortunately, the upstairs venues are not physically accessible (1 flight of stairs to the Phoenix, with additional steps/levels to Wilser’s Room).

ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES

The Cap does not condone the use of illegal substances. The use of illegal substances on the property may result in the removal or permanent ban of an attendee.

In the event of a suspected overdose, Naloxone kits are available behind every bar in the Cap. The use of a naloxone kit on an attendee will not necessarily equate their ban, as assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The use of illegal substances to facilitate power-based violence is highly prohibited at the Cap. If you see anyone tampering with another person’s beverage, please contact the Safer Spaces staff immediately and alert the affected if safe/possible.

LEGAL SUBSTANCES

In keeping with provincial law & municipal policy, the consumption of marijuana or tobacco is not permitted within 9 metres of the Cap entrances. Consumption of these substances on the property may result in the removal or permanent ban of an attendee.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Cap intends to create an environment that is respectful and supportive of the Indigenous peoples of this land, as it operates on the traditional unceded territory of the Mi’kMaq & Wolastokiyik peoples. As a first step, The Cap accepts current Indian Status Cards as a valid form of identification for entry to the establishment, and staff are trained to protect indigenous peoples against forms of power-based or race-based violence, harassment or aggression.

We are committed to creating an environment that both honours and respects the Indigenous peoples of this region, and to be stewards of the land by ensuring that The Cap is an inclusive, equitable space for building community through art and music.

This document was last updated February, 2024.