Code of conduct for attendees at RCPsych events

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is dedicated to providing a safe, harassment-free environment for all event participants.

All participants – delegates, attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff and volunteers — are required to follow this Code of Conduct at all times. This includes social events at off-site locations and communications and social media before, during and after the conference itself.

All individuals attending RCPsych events must agree to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner. This includes respect for the intellectual property of others, proper display and use of name badges and respect for everyone regardless of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age or being or becoming transgender.

These behaviours, in any form, will not be tolerated at RCPsych events:

  • Harassment: unwelcome or hostile behaviour, including verbal or written comments that intimidate or create discomfort
  • Intimidation, deliberate stalking or following
  • Abuse of any kind
  • Discrimination
  • Inappropriate physical contact and unwelcome sexual attention.
  • Use of sexualised language, images, or clothing. This includes presentations, slides, and speaker content.
  • Offensive banter, insults, taunts or exclusionary jokes
  • Recording: video or audio recording of lectures, speakers, delegates, staff, exhibitions, venue, slides, posters, breaks or any other conference spaces, materials or individuals is not permitted without prior consent of the organisers. Photographs of participants are permitted with the permission of those being prominently photographed. Photographs of slides, posters and other academic content are permitted only with the permission of the author.
  • Disruption of any lectures, sessions or masterclasses.
  • Emails or any form of written communication that is aggressive, rude, upsetting or which could amount to sexual or racial harassment, or harassment on the grounds of someone’s disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age or being or becoming transgender. Email harassment can arise simply from unreasonable repeated or unwanted requests, or messages containing sexual or racial innuendos.
  • Participants may not publicise, distribute, canvass, display, carry out activities or demonstrations, or distribute materials or inducements. Any materials found, unless by previous agreement, will be removed and disposed of.

This is a non-exhaustive list.

If an individual believes that these rules have been violated, they should contact College staff at the registration desk.

Participants found in violation of these rules may be asked to leave the event without a refund at the sole discretion of the event organisers.