When acting as an OA or in any other capacity for activities and events promoted on this website, OA are subject to the enforceable obligations set forth in the ethical standards contained in this Code.

• Ensure that all events and training programs for which they are responsible contain an accurate description of the program content, training objectives, tasks, and requirements to be met for proper entry into and completion of the program. All relevant parties must have easy access to this information.
• Provide certificates to demonstrate that their facilitation falls within their area of expertise.
• Accurately and impartially provide background information. Each course should be delivered according to the objectives of the event. This standard does not prevent facilitators from changing event requirements or materials if they deem it pedagogically necessary or desirable, provided that they notify participants of any changes in a manner that allows them to meet the event participation requirements.
• Keep all personal data shared by participants during the events confidential. This means that:
  • OA may not ask participants during events to disclose private information, either verbally or in writing, about their history of abuse or neglect, sexual history, psychological treatment, and relationships with peers, spouses, parents, or significant others.
  • Only with the Participant’s consent and in cases where doing so furthers the personal or educational goals of the Event, OA may publish private materials provided by Participants during the Events.
  • Participants’ personal communications that are kept during the events are private unless the participant allows them to be discussed or this Code requires their disclosure otherwise. The OA team may discuss the participants during the events if they consider it pedagogically necessary or desirable.
  • Report abuse or other concerns of harm to the extent OA is required and/or legally authorised to do so under applicable laws, regulations, or licences. The confidentiality standards will be explained to participants in writing as part of the orientation materials for the event and to assistants as part of the orientation process.
• Seek prior consent from assistants or participants before disclosing any personal information. If an assistant or participant chooses not to participate in the demonstration, OA staff will respect their autonomy and will not discriminate or retaliate against them. They will inform assistants or participants of their right to stop the demonstration at any time and will respect their decision.
• Do not promote events on these websites as “trauma healing”. OA are not qualified with the specialised training and accreditation required to “treat trauma”. They are trained in trauma-informed access and trauma-informed consent.
• Inform participants that these events do not constitute therapy and are inappropriate for persons with a specific mental illness. Encourage participants to seek the advice of a physician and/or qualified mental health professional if unsure of their eligibility.
• Refer qualified individuals to handle specific situations that may arise, such as recommending someone to consult a physician and/or mental health professional if significant trauma occurs during an event.
• Do not provide medical advice. Advise participants to see a specialist if they have any worrying medical conditions.
• Ensure participants always have the option to participate in the event or not. Ultimatums, pressure from others, or coercion are inadmissible. Participants always have the option to opt-out, change the practice, or leave the event (they are asked to speak with the facilitators before leaving, but do not have to justify their choice). No one should be forced or pressured to share, interact, or work with someone they do not want to.
• Provide participants with experiences related to the themes of the event if it is beneficial for them.
• Refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs (unless prescribed by a doctor) while performing their duties.
• Not defame their OA team or their reputation in the industry.
• Recognize their mentors and creators of fundamental concepts and methods applied in event theory and practice where appropriate.
• Not act in an aggressive or harassing manner. This conduct is characterised as the abuse of one or more persons by one (1) or more perpetrators. The harasser’s conduct should be objectively assessed from the perspective of a “reasonable person” to determine whether the harassment is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create a hostile environment.

Examples of behaviour that may be considered offensive or harassing:

• Using threats, humiliation, or other forms of intimidation.
• Providing preferential treatment.
• Non-verbal bullying or threatening gestures.
• Verbal abuse, such as gossiping, mocking, or belittling someone or their family; using cruel, abusive, or degrading language; insulting and derogatory terms.
• Excluding someone from activities and exercises, either physically or socially.
• Using physical force such as pushing, shoving, kicking, or threatening violence.

Examples of abuse, harassment, and bullying:

• Gossiping and spreading false or malicious information about someone.
• Unwanted physical interaction, physical assault, or threat of physical assault on a person or their property (defacing or tagging property).
• Any kind of public humiliation.
• Personal insults or use of derogatory nicknames.
• Unjustifiably raising one’s voice against a person in a public or private environment.
• Repeated singling out of one person or group of persons.
• Vulgar or threatening suggestions.
• Taking credit for someone else’s ideas.