It is very important that every member feels comfortable and safe within the association. It is therefore important that there is room for conversation about social-emotional safety and well-being, and that people feel comfortable speaking up if they experience or notice undesirable behavior in others. The goal here is to have a safe base that members can fall back on, that efforts are made to prevent unwanted situations, but also to think about how to act if things do go wrong.
For the first two points, the following code of conduct applies. All members are expected to follow this code, which forms the basis for a safe (sports) environment. Failure to comply with this code of conduct constitutes transgressive behavior. It is therefore important that appropriate action is taken in such cases. Confidential contact persons are intended for this purpose.
When you have to deal with transgressive behavior, it is a sign that the (sports) environment is no longer safe. It can raise many emotions and questions, both if you are the victim or if you see it happen. How difficult this can then be, it is best for your own mental well-being if you speak up, even if you have doubts. In addition, bringing transgressive behavior out into the open can prevent it from happening again or making the situation worse. Talk about it with someone you trust. This can be someone close to you, but also a confidential contact person. This person is trained to deal with this, offers a listening ear and can then offer the right help. All conversations are treated confidentially.
ESAC CCP
Marieke Sluijmer and Robert Prins are the confidential contact persons of ESAC. Their role is to provide support to anyone who experiences transgressive behavior within ESAC or has any psychological worries related anyone's behaviour (and effects thereof) within ESAC. They serve as a point of contact for anyone who wants to discuss their concerns in a safe and confidential environment. Any concerned association member can reach out to them.
Marieke Sluijmer
Phone number: +31 6 31511969
Robert Prins
Phone number: +31 6 37333122
ESSF CCP
If you dont feel comfortable talking to someone within the ESAC you also have the option to reach out to someone outside of the ESAC. The ESSF's Confidential Contact Person (VCP) is the first point of contact for anyone who has a question about, or is affected by, transgressive behavior, and would like to talk to someone about it. This person is available to all sports cardholders of the SSCE. More information about these confidants can be found on the website of the ESSF.
Pim van Leeuwen
Phone nr: +31 6 40314985
Email: pimvleeuwen@outlook.com
NKBV VCP
A confidential contact person of the NKBV is also available. The NKBV has two VCPs: Tim van der Linden and Regien Winnubst. You can report to them what you have experienced or seen, and they will help you further. You can reach them by sending an email to vcp@nkbv.nl. Your email and report will be treated confidentially. You can find more information about these confidants on the website of the NKBV.
TU/e VCP
TU/e also has confidential contact persons. In TU/e's words, "TU/e has appointed both internal and external confidential contact persons for undesirable behavior and irregularities. They assist students and employees who are faced with undesirable behavior and help them find a way to end the undesirable behavior." If necessary, they will also help you file a formal complaint with the Inappropriate Conduct Complaints Committee. More about these counselors and the contact details can be found on the TU/e website.
To ensure climbing remains fun for everyone, the action plan "Towards a safer sport climate" has been developed on a national level. By stimulating positive behavior, increasing knowledge and skills and tackling undesirable behavior, sports clubs, sports associations and NOC*NSF work together to create a safer sports climate.
As a student climbing association it's important that all our members can practice their sport safely. Below information about technical climbing safety can be found.
Climbing and mountaineering is not risk-free, however the risks can be reduced to an acceptable minimum with proper preparation and training. Providing informing about the safe practice of climbing and mountaineering and offering training and courses is one of the core task of the ESAC. The ESAC does provide information, but will not explicitly tell you what you can and cannot do. That responsibility lies with the individual himself. A climber who is responsible for his or her sport has a good dose of (self) knowledge, turns around if something is too dangerous and is open to feedback. If you see something happen that you think is not safe, speak up about it and feel free to talk about the situation. It is important for ESAC to know how you experience safety within the association. If you have experienced a potentially dangerous situation, please let us know so that we can take action in the future. Let us know using bestuur@esac.nl and oc@esac.nl.
Together we try to guarantee safety as much as possible and to prevent accidents. If you are involved in or see an accident, it is important that the accident is reported on the site klimongevallen.nl. Here, Dutch mountain athletes, sports climbers and mountain hikers can register accidents or near-accidents. By setting up this site we hope to gain a better insight into what goes wrong when practicing mountain sports. But an even more important goal of the site is that everyone can learn from the mistakes or bad luck of others.