AYCO/ACE
a limited
Dance
code:
EDCON 2018: #METOO
26
The YPAD training could be a great follow-up activity to the conference for
those who were unable to attend EdCon (as well as for those who were!).
Another important follow-up is to complete the survey announced at
EdCon and distributed via the October ACE Newsletter. This survey, from
the Health & Wellness Committee, was developed under the leadership
of AYCO Board Member Dr. Jen Agans. It is designed to better understand
how AYCO/ACE can support our members’ ongoing efforts to establish and
enhance cultures of safety in circus programs. The results of this survey
will be shared with the community and will inform future discussions
and actions towards clear standards, policies, and tools. If your program
leadership has not already done so, please ask them to complete the survey
before December 15, 2018.
While there is no “one size fits all” solution to preventing sexual abuse and
harassment in circus, we encourage circus programs to continue to learn,
share, and improve safety in collaborative ways. Circus Smirkus, SHOW
Circus Studio, and Le Petit Cirque have already shared their policies to
support such efforts. We encourage others to do so via the ACE/AYCO
Health and Wellness Committee. Local rape crisis centers, child advocacy
centers, and child protective services can also be important partners for
circus programs in developing policies, trainings, and practices that can
work within our local legal, programmatic, and cultural contexts.
No matter where we are starting from in our circus organizations, we can
and must get better at preventing and protecting our communities from
all forms of abusive behavior, including sexual abuse and harassment. As
learners, artists, and educators, we can help cultivate and sustain a culture
of increasing safety. EdCon 2018 was an important step in that direction.
Now is the time for each of us to accelerate this forward momentum with
intentional, informed action to strengthen our movement for change,
healing, and hope.
MARCI DIAMOND, M.P.A., is a volunteer with the AYCO/ACE Health
& Wellness and Social Circus Committees, and was consultant to
the AYCO/ACE Social Circus Initiative. She co-founded Diamond
Family Circus www.diamondcircus.com with her daughter Marisa,
and is a professional performer (SAG-AFTRA/AEA & circus arts),
instructor, and consultant for performing arts and violence
prevention organizations from Alaska to New Zealand. She formerly
directed statewide sexual and domestic violence programs and
chaired the National Sexual Violence Resource Center Advisory
Council, and has served on numerous non-profit boards.
Consulting & training inquiries: [email protected]
27