Code of Conduct
At Bachata Academy, we believe that social dancing is built on trust, communication, and mutual respect. Creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community is therefore a shared responsibility between students, instructors, staff, performers, and guests. This Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour we expect from all participants — students, teachers, and guests alike.
We reserve the right to deny anyone entry to our classes or socials on the basis of our code of conduct and ethics guidelines in order to ensure the comfort and safety of our students.
Continuous Consent & Boundaries
Social dancing involves physical contact, but every person has the right to determine what contact they are comfortable with. We foster a culture of ongoing consent and respect for personal boundaries.
- check_circleEveryone Has the Right to Decline: You have the absolute right to decline a dance, request more distance, refuse a movement, or stop a dance at any time and for any reason. A simple "No, thank you" is sufficient. No explanation is required.
- check_circleBe Aware of Your Partner's Comfort: Dancers should remain attentive to their partner's verbal and non-verbal cues throughout the dance. If you notice signs of discomfort, adjust accordingly. If you are unsure whether your partner is comfortable, ask.
- check_circleRespect Boundaries Around Close Position: Any dancer may set or change physical boundaries at any time. While consent for certain movements or levels of connection is often communicated non-verbally, all dancers are expected to respect signs that a partner is uncomfortable, such as pulling away, increasing distance, becoming tense, or otherwise indicating discomfort. This applies particularly to sensual, shadow, and close-position movements. If you are uncertain whether a movement or level of closeness is welcome, ask first.
info Instructor Support
If you are ever unsure whether a particular movement, position, or type of contact falls within the accepted norms of bachata or may be inappropriate, our instructors are always happy to discuss it and provide guidance in a respectful, judgment-free manner.
- check_circleNo Tricks, Dips or Acrobatics: Never perform a deep dip, trick, lift, or other weight-bearing movement without obtaining clear consent beforehand. Acrobatics and lifts are not permitted on crowded social dance floors, as they pose a safety risk to surrounding dancers. Such movements should only be practiced in appropriate settings where both participants have adequate training.
- check_circleRespect the Purpose of the Dance Floor: The dance floor is a space for dancing. While friendships and relationships may naturally develop within the community, dancers must be able to participate without feeling pressured, objectified, or treated as potential romantic partners.
Learning and Social Guidelines
- check_circleGive Respectful Feedback During Classes: Learning requires communication. If a movement feels uncomfortable, painful, or unsafe, inform your partner promptly and respectfully. If your partner informs you that something you did was uncomfortable or painful, accept the feedback graciously and make the necessary adjustment. Avoid becoming defensive or dismissive. Responding respectfully to feedback helps foster a culture in which dancers feel comfortable speaking up about safety concerns and boundaries, allowing everyone to learn and dance more safely. If clarification is needed, ask an instructor for assistance.
- check_circleDo Not Give Corrections During Social Dancing: A party or social is not a teaching environment. Do not provide unsolicited instruction, corrections, or critiques to your dance partners during such events. Feedback during socials should generally be limited to situations involving safety, discomfort, or pain. If you feel a piece of feedback would be genuinely helpful, always ask your partner first if they are open to receiving it, and ensure it is shared in a friendly, encouraging, and constructive way.
- check_circleRespect Digital Boundaries: The school's WhatsApp groups are created solely for class announcements, coordination, and community updates. Do not use the group member list to harvest contact details or message other students privately without their prior, explicit consent. Sending unsolicited personal, romantic, advertising, or spam messages to other members is a breach of these community boundaries.
Zero-Tolerance Policy
Bachata Academy maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward harassment, intimidation, assault, and discrimination.
Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:
- Sexual Harassment: Unwanted sexual advances, sexually suggestive comments, gestures, propositions, or touching of intimate areas.
- Non-Consensual Physical Contact: Ignoring established boundaries, forcing or pressuring a partner into close positions, deliberately maintaining contact after a partner has indicated discomfort, or engaging in unnecessary or inappropriate touching.
- Verbal Abuse, Discrimination & Intimidation: Threatening language, bullying, insults, harassment, or discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic.
- Intoxication: Dancing while under the influence of alcohol or other substances to the extent that balance, control, awareness, or judgment is impaired. Dancers must remain capable of safely controlling their own movements and protecting their partners.
Professionalism & Authority Boundaries
Instructors and staff occupy positions of trust and authority and are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
- check_circleInstructors Will Obtain Consent Before Giving Physical Corrections: Instructors will request consent before making physical adjustments to a student's posture, frame, or technique.
- check_circleInstructors Will Respect Professional Boundaries: Instructors must maintain appropriate professional boundaries and may not use their position for personal, romantic, or sexual advantage.
- check_circleInstructors Will Not Purchase Drinks for Students: Instructors must not purchase alcoholic beverages for students.
- check_circleInstructors Will Not Pursue Romantic & Sexual Relationships with Students: Instructors are expected to maintain professional boundaries with students. They must not use their position of authority to pursue romantic or sexual relationships with students they currently teach or supervise.
Instructors must not:
- Initiate or pursue romantic or sexual relationships with students they currently teach or supervise.
- Use their position of authority, influence, or trust to seek personal, romantic, or sexual attention from students.
- Make flirtatious or sexually suggestive comments or unwanted advances toward students during classes, workshops, socials, or other school events.
- Pressure students into private meetings, dates, or other personal interactions outside the context of the school.
- Retaliate in any way against a student who declines personal or romantic advances or raises a concern (including by implying, suggesting, or communicating that a student's opportunities, access to events, advancement, or treatment within the school may be affected by accepting or rejecting romantic interest).
· Personal relationships (including friendships) must never result in favoritism, preferential treatment, or disadvantage to other students.
· If an existing or developing relationship creates a conflict of interest or could compromise a student's comfort, safety, or equal access to instruction, the instructor must promptly inform the school so appropriate measures can be considered.
· If a pre-existing relationship exists, measures will be taken to ensure that the instructor does not exercise direct influence over the student's opportunities, advancement, participation, or standing within the school. Such measures will be supervised by school leadership and other instructors to ensure fairness, transparency, and the avoidance of actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
These expectations apply both during classes and at all events organized or officially hosted by the school.
We Are Here For You
If you experience harassment, feel unsafe, or witness behavior that may violate this policy, we encourage you to report it. Individuals who report misconduct will be treated with respect and will not be shamed, minimized, or subjected to retaliation or unfavorable treatment for coming forward.
personSpeak to Staff
You may report concerns directly to any instructor or to the school owner.
mailEmail
Reports may be submitted via email at info@bachataacademyfreiburg.com.
groupExternal Support
If you prefer to speak with an independent organization, contact Frauenhorizonte, a local organization specializing in supporting survivors of sexual violence.
emergencyImmediate Assistance
If you need help leaving a situation, arranging safe transportation, or obtaining immediate support, please speak to a member of staff.
Submit an Anonymous Report
If you prefer to remain completely anonymous, you can submit your feedback securely online. Access to submissions is restricted to the school owner.
Policy Enforcement Standards
All reports will be taken seriously and handled as appropriately and confidentially as possible. Individuals who violate this Code of Conduct may be denied entry to classes, socials, workshops, or other events.
Depending on the severity and nature of the conduct, Bachata Academy reserves the right to:
- Issue a formal verbal warning.
- Require an individual to leave an event immediately.
- Suspend or permanently ban the individual from all future activities without a refund.
- Report criminal conduct, including sexual assault or physical violence, to the appropriate authorities.
Our Commitment
This Code of Conduct is not a formality — it's a living document that reflects our community's values. We review and update it regularly. By attending any Bachata Academy class or event, you agree to uphold these standards and help us maintain the community we're proud of.
Thank you for being part of this community.
— The Bachata Academy Freiburg Team