Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct establishes the minimum behavioural expectations for all members and administrators of Wargrounds Canberra. These standards apply at all  organised and supported events and are fundamental to maintaining a safe, fair, and welcoming community.  Adherence to this Code is expected of all members. These are the behaviours that allow the community to function safely and enjoyably.

Wargrounds Canberra exists to create a space where:

•  Everyone feels safe, respected, and welcome

•  Gameplay is fun, fair, and inclusive

•  Members take responsibility for their actions

•  Harassment, bullying, and discrimination are not tolerated

Each individual is responsible for their own actions and behaviour. As a member of the Wargrounds Canberra community, you are expected to:

1. Follow all rules, gameplay standards, and lawful directions from admins or organisers

2. Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and venue requirements

3. Treat all participants, staff, and volunteers with courtesy and respect

4. Actively contribute to a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment for all

5. Respect Wargrounds Canberra property, facilities, and other players’ belongings

6. Avoid and not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or bullying, including but not limited to racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, and transphobia 

7. Avoid behaviour that deliberately makes others feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or unwelcome

Players should engage in gameplay with fairness, respect, and fun. Winning is not always the goal of a LARP event and unsafe or selfish play can ruin others’ experiences. Examples of unfair or unsafe gameplay can include, but are not limited to:

• Not taking hits

• Giving yourself more HP or other unfair advantages

• Feathering (striking a player with a single weapon in the same place in quick succession)

• Ignoring terrain or movement rules

• Not observing correct respawn times

• Making head hits without taking responsibility

• Unsafe or reckless fighting (including unsafe combat techniques or reckless actions that may harm others)

What can I do if I see someone cheating or playing unsafely?

At Wargrounds Canberra, everyone’s safety and enjoyment are a priority. You are never responsible for someone else’s unsafe or unfair behaviour, and you are not required to put yourself at risk to address it directly. By raising concerns when behaviour goes against the Code of Conduct, you help keep the game safe and fair. Any consequences that may occur are the result of the other person’s choices - you are simply making sure the issue is addressed and contributing to a safe, respectful, and fair community.

If someone is playing in a way that feels unsafe, look after yourself first. Move yourself-and others, if possible-to a safer area. If anyone is in immediate danger, appears hurt, or is distressed, contact an admin or first aid support immediately.

Once your safety is ensured, there are several ways you can respond. Your wellbeing comes first, and the suggestions below are guided by trauma-informed principles, focusing on supporting you, respecting your choices, and reducing the risk of further distress. You remain in control and can choose the actions that feel safe and manageable. These suggestions are not exhaustive-you know best what will help you feel supported and cared for.

Document what happened (if you feel able): Writing down what occurred, when and where it happened, and who was involved or witnessed it can help clarify your own thoughts and assist admins if you decide to share information. You can later input this information in the Wargrounds Incident Report Form.

Speak to the person (only if safe): If it feels safe and comfortable, you may calmly explain how their behaviour affects play or safety, focusing on the behaviour rather than the person. For example, “I think that shot should have counted,” or “Those hits are a bit hard - can you pull them back a bit?”

You may ask a friend or admin to be present, or even take the lead in the conversation. If the person becomes defensive, aggressive, or dismissive, end the conversation and seek support from an admin.

Reach out to an admin or staff member: Report the behaviour as soon as possible. Share as much or as little detail as you feel comfortable, including what happened, when and where, who was involved, and any witnesses. You may also submit a formal incident report. If you feel upset or shaken, you can ask someone you trust to support you while explaining what happened.

Keep notes if behaviour continues: If the behaviour persists, continue documenting incidents and report them again. This helps admins identify patterns, determine appropriate actions, and maintain safety, fairness, and enjoyment for all players.

Reporting and accountability exist to maintain safety, fairness, and enjoyment-not to assume malice.  If you’re unsure whether something should be reported, it’s always okay to check in with an admin.  Speaking up is better than staying silent, and any report will be handled with fairness, support, and focus on everyone’s safety.

At Wargrounds Canberra, bullying and harassment are understood in line with legal definitions: Wargrounds Canberra has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment. Everyone should feel safe, respected, and welcome while participating. These behaviours can occur in-character (IC) or out-of-character (OOC); being IC is never an excuse for making someone feel unsafe or disrespected. We understand these behaviours in line with legal definitions:

Bullying is repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at a person or group that creates a risk to health and safety, whether psychological or physical. Examples can include, but are not limited to:

• Repeated verbal abuse that is clearly OOC: insults, shouting, humiliation, or aggressive language.

• Spreading malicious rumours or ongoing, unfounded criticism.

• Excluding someone from group activities or socially isolating them.

• Psychological harassment: mind games, manipulation, gaslighting, or deliberate humiliation.

• Physical intimidation or threats (e.g., pushing, grabbing, using gear aggressively).

• Targeting someone because of a protected characteristic (race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, etc.).

• Repeatedly hitting a player after they are out of action.

• Using in-game mechanics to punish or intimidate someone OOC.

• Interfering with another player’s role/storyline in a harmful way.

Harassment is any behaviour that is unwelcome, offensive, intimidating, humiliating, or threatening, where a reasonable person would consider the behaviour inappropriate. It can be a single incident or a repeated pattern of behaviour, and it can relate to personal characteristics such as race, gender, sexuality, disability, religion, age, or other protected attributes. Examples can include, but are not limited to:

• Repeated unwelcome comments, jokes, or messages that cause discomfort, intimidation, or stress.

• Persistent OOC criticism or constant monitoring of someone’s decisions or in-game choices in a way that’s distressing OOC.

• Intrusive attention, stalking, or messaging that ignores personal boundaries.

• Insults or negative behaviour aimed at personal traits or protected characteristics (race, gender identity, etc.).

• Using roleplay or game mechanics to create ongoing emotional pressure, disrupt someone’s story or role to intimidate, or IC “pranks” that actually make someone feel unsafe.

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual behaviour or conduct of a sexual nature where a person feels offended, humiliated, or intimidated. Examples can include, but are not limited to:

• Making suggestive or sexual comments about someone’s body, appearance, or personal life in a way that can offend or intimidate.

• Repeated requests for sexual acts or dates that make the other person uncomfortable.

• Unwanted physical contact such as touching, hugging, or “cornering.”

• Sending explicit images, texts, or other sexual content without consent.

• Asking intrusive questions about someone’s sex life, body, or intimate life repeatedly.

• Using roleplay or game mechanics to pressure sexual activity.

• IC “jokes” or touches that feel oppressive.

• Sexualised language or emotes directed at another player without consent.

Some in-character (IC) interactions may involve conflict, teasing, or roleplay tension, but being IC is never an excuse for behaviour that makes someone feel unsafe, harassed, or disrespected out-ofcharacter (OOC). Consent, personal boundaries, and wellbeing must always be respected.

What should I do if I experience sexual harassment or bullying?

At Wargrounds Canberra, we want our community to feel safe, respectful, and welcoming. You are never to blame for someone else’s choice to act in a harmful or harassing way. When concerns are raised, we respond with care, fairness, and respect for everyone involved, aiming to support those affected, encourage better behaviour, and help keep our community safe.

The most important first step is to look after yourself. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, try to remove yourself from the situation if you can - for example, step away from the person, move to a public or well-lit area, or go toward other players or an admin. Reach out to someone you trust for immediate support, such as a friend, another player, or an admin. If anyone, including you, is in immediate danger or distress, engage an admin as soon as possible.

Once you are safe, there are several ways you can respond. The options below are intended as guidance and a starting point-they are not exhaustive. You can use them in any order, at any time, and take only the parts that feel manageable and supportive for you.

These suggestions are guided by trauma-informed principles. They focus on supporting you, respecting your choices, and reducing the risk of further distress. Your experience is never your fault, and any steps you choose to take should remain within the Wargrounds Canberra Code of Conduct and the law. Speaking up, seeking support, or documenting what happened are all ways to care for yourself while helping maintain a safe and respectful community. You remain in control and can decide what feels safe, manageable, and helpful for your wellbeing.

Document what happened (if you feel able): Writing down what occurred, when and where it happened, and who was involved or witnessed it can help clarify your own thoughts and assist admins if you decide to share information. This is useful even if you do not immediately report the incident.

Speak to the person (only if safe): If you feel able, or think it would help, you may calmly explain how their behaviour affects you, the game, or the community. You can ask a friend or admin to be present for support, or they can take the lead if that feels more comfortable. When addressing the incident, focus on the behaviour rather than the person. For example, “That comment made me feel uncomfortable. Please don’t speak to me like that again,” or “That IC action is making me feel unsafe OOC - can we adjust how we roleplay this?”

You are never required to speak directly to the person - choosing not to is completely valid. If the person becomes defensive, aggressive, or dismissive, end the conversation and seek support from an admin.

Reach out to an admin or staff member: Report the behaviour as soon as possible. Share as much or as little detail as you feel comfortable, including what happened, when and where it happened, who was involved, and any witnesses. You may also submit a formal incident report. If you feel upset or shaken, you may ask someone you trust to support you while explaining what happened.

Keep notes if behaviour continues: If the behaviour is repeated, continue documenting each incident and report them again. This helps admins identify patterns, determine appropriate actions, and maintain safety, fairness, and enjoyment for all players.

What if a law may have been broken?

Sometimes, the behaviour someone experiences could also be illegal. The admin team aren’t legal experts-they’re just people who care-but they will take steps in line with the Code of Conduct to address the behaviour and help keep the community safe. Their role is to support you, explain your options, and make recommendations.

In some cases, they may be required to contact the appropriate authorities, or they may encourage you to do so. Whenever possible, they will discuss the situation with you first and provide support through the process. The focus is always on your safety, wellbeing, and maintaining a safe and respectful community.

Reporting and accountability exist to maintain safety, fairness, and enjoyment-not to assume malice.  If you’re unsure whether something should be reported, it’s always okay to check in with an admin.  Speaking up is better than staying silent, and any report will be handled with fairness, support, and  focus on everyone’s safety.

The Wargrounds Canberra Code of Conduct applies primarily during events, but we recognise that personal disagreements, social conflicts, or other actions outside the game can sometimes affect participants’ safety, wellbeing, and enjoyment in-game. Everyone is responsible for their own behaviour, including ensuring that actions outside the game do not negatively impact others in the community.

Admins cannot monitor all behaviour outside events. However, any external actions that affect other players or the community-and are brought into the game-may be addressed to maintain a safe, fair, and inclusive environment. Our focus remains on protecting participants, supporting fairness, and upholding community values, while respecting the limits of what admins can reasonably manage.

Not all behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable or upset is reportable under the Code of Conduct. Our approach aims to maintain safety, fairness, and enjoyment for everyone, and does not assume malice or that someone is deliberately trying to make things difficult.

You are encouraged to report behaviour that concerns you or appears to violate the Code. At the same time, it is important to recognise that players or admins acting in good faith to uphold the Code - for example, calling out unsafe, unfair, or inappropriate behaviour - are not engaging in bullying or harassment, even if being held accountable feels uncomfortable. Feeling “unsafe” because someone points out that your behaviour goes against the rules, the spirit of the game, or may become a breach if not addressed, is not a reportable incident.

The focus is on actual breaches of the Code, unsafe actions, or harassment, not normal accountability, interpersonal friction, or being reminded to adjust your actions. Reporting exists to ensure everyone can participate safely and respectfully, not to penalise those upholding a fair and safe community.

Adherence to this Code is expected of all members, as these behaviours allow the community to function safely, respectfully, and enjoyably for everyone. Members are expected to follow the Code of Conduct and related policies, including but not limited to Gameplay Behaviour and Sexual Harassment guidelines. When a member’s behaviour falls outside these standards, there are natural consequences that may follow, which could include removal from an event, restrictions on future participation, or referral to law enforcement where required. These measures exist to maintain the safety, fairness, and enjoyment of the community, and to make clear how behaviour outside of our Code, the law, and our values is addressed.

When concerns arise, Wargrounds Canberra uses a principles-based approach that focuses on safety and wellbeing, preventing harm and encouraging positive behaviour, and ensuring responses are proportionate, consistent, and informed by an understanding of the experiences of those affected.

The admin team considers a range of factors when responding to behaviour that falls short of the Code, including the nature and seriousness of the behaviour, its impact on others, whether it appears intentional or accidental, any previous patterns, how the person responds to feedback, and any ongoing safety risks.

Actions taken can vary depending on the situation. For minor or first-time issues, the response may involve a conversation to clarify expectations and explain the impact of the behaviour. If behaviour continues or has a mild impact on others, the admin team may implement formal guidance or temporary restrictions to encourage reflection and learning. More serious concerns may require stronger measures, such as limitations on participation, temporary removal from an event, or a clear written plan for continued participation. In cases where safety is at significant risk, or where behaviour breaches the law, further steps may include suspension, probationary conditions, permanent exclusion from events, or referral to the relevant authorities.

Throughout any process, all parties are supported and have the opportunity to be heard before decisions are made. Documentation of behaviour concerns is maintained to identify patterns, ensure consistent responses, and support the safety of the community. Records are kept discreetly and shared only with those who need the information to manage participation. Addressing behaviour that violates the Code is about accountability, clarity, and maintaining a safe and respectful community. Consequences arise from the choices people make, and are a necessary part of upholding the standards, values, and safety of Wargrounds Canberra.

Wargrounds Canberra uses a principles-based approach when responding to behaviour concerns.

The focus is on:

• Safety and wellbeing - physical and psychological safety of players, volunteers, and admins comes first.

• Prevention and learning - wherever appropriate, we prioritise education, repair, and behaviour change over exclusion.

• Proportionality - responses should match the seriousness of the behaviour and the impact on others.

• Consistency with flexibility - similar issues should be treated similarly, while still allowing for context and individual circumstances.

• Trauma-informed practice - we recognise that people may be impacted by past experiences.  We aim to respond in ways that minimise the risk of further trauma and respect the needs and choices of those harmed.

When deciding on consequences, the admin team will consider:

• the nature and seriousness of the behaviour

• the impact on others, including whether someone feels unsafe or targeted

• whether the behaviour appears intentional or accidental

• any previous concerns or patterns of behaviour

• how the person responds when given feedback (e.g. denial, minimisation, genuine remorse, willingness to change)

• any safety risks if the person continues participating.

Consequences may vary based on context, but the examples below show the kinds of actions that may be taken at different levels. The following are guides to the kinds of responses the admin team may take. More than one consequence may apply, and admins may move to a higher level immediately if the behaviour is serious.

Low-level concern / first-time or accidental issue
Example responses may include:

• verbal reminder or clarification of rules

• supportive conversation about how the behaviour impacted others

• request to adjust behaviour going forward.

Ongoing or repeated issue / mild impact on others
Example responses may include:

• formal warning (recorded by the admin team)

• agreement on specific behaviour expectations

• temporary loss of certain in-game privileges (for example, specific weapons or roles) until behaviour improves.

Significant impact / high-level concern
Example responses may include:

• stronger restrictions on participation (for example, loss of great weapon or ranged weapon privilege, restrictions on interactions with particular players)

• removal from current game day or exclusion from the next event

• written behaviour plan with clear conditions for continued participation.

Serious breach of safety or conduct
Example responses may include:

• suspension for a defined period (for example, several game days or a set number of months)

• return to play subject to probationary conditions (for example, check-ins, specific boundaries, no contact with certain players)

• notifying relevant authorities if required by law or safety concerns.

Severe, ongoing, or irredeemable behaviour / illegal behaviour
Example responses may include:

• long-term suspension (for example, 12 months or more) with strict conditions for any potential return

• permanent ban from Wargrounds Canberra events where the behaviour is serious, repeated, or presents an ongoing risk to others

• contacting authorities where illegal conduct is alleged or confirmed, or where there is a serious risk of harm.

Any behaviour concerns and resulting actions will be documented by the Wargrounds Canberra admin team for future reference. This helps us identify patterns of behaviour, ensure consistent responses over time and support the safety of all participants. Records will be handled discreetly and only shared with those admins who need the information to manage safety and participation, in accordance with relevant privacy legislation.