Safe Dance Commitment

Velocity wants every dancer, teacher, parent, guardian, and attendee to feel comfortable speaking up when something feels unsafe, inappropriate, or inconsistent with our standards.

Reports may involve:

• Bullying, harassment, or discrimination
• Inappropriate communication
• Boundary violations
• Unsafe conduct
• Retaliation
• Concerns involving an adult and a minor
• Any behavior that threatens the safety or well-being of an attendee

Every report is acknowledged within 24 hours.

Velocity does not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith, participates in an investigation, or supports someone who has reported a concern.

Concerns may be reported through the following channels:

Email: info@velocitydanceconvention.com

Phone: 818-416-1161

DEEA Third-Party Safety Tip Line

For immediate assistance during an event, please speak with a Velocity director or staff member. In an emergency, contact venue security or call 911 before notifying Velocity staff.

Velocity’s safety standards apply at every Regional event and Season Finale.

Velocity staff members, faculty, assistants, and applicable contractors complete background checks and DEEA’s Be Courageous training.

This training addresses abuse prevention, anti-racism, anti-othering, appropriate boundaries, and the responsibility adults have when working with minors.

Velocity faculty and assistants follow a no-touch-without-permission policy when providing physical corrections or demonstrations.

Dancers have the right to control their personal space and may decline physical contact at any time. Declining physical contact will not affect a dancer’s classroom experience, scholarship eligibility, or standing at the event.

Private messaging and direct social media communication between Velocity faculty, assistants, staff members, and minor dancers are not permitted during the season.

Event-related communication must take place through approved and monitored Velocity channels, registered studio representatives, or the dancer’s parent or legal guardian.

Velocity faculty, assistants, and staff members are prohibited from entering a dancer’s hotel room.

Dancers, parents, guardians, teachers, and other clients are also prohibited from entering the hotel rooms of Velocity faculty, assistants, and staff members.

These boundaries apply regardless of whether another adult is present.

Velocity dressing rooms are shared spaces intended for changing costumes, preparing hair and makeup, and completing necessary performance preparations.

To protect the privacy, safety, and comfort of all dancers:

• Photography and video recording are prohibited inside dressing rooms
• Rehearsing, running routines, marking choreography, and practicing tricks are not permitted
• Music may not be played through speakers
• Walkways, entrances, and exits must remain clear
• Dressing rooms may not be reserved or used as private studio spaces
• Personal belongings must remain organized and out of common pathways
• Children must remain supervised by a parent, guardian, teacher, or approved Studio Representative
• Everyone must respect the personal space and privacy of others

Any filming, photography, inappropriate behavior, or misuse of a dressing room should be reported immediately to a Velocity staff member.

Velocity celebrates dancers through event highlights, awards, and approved social media content while taking steps to protect the personal information of minors.

Velocity does not publish private identifying information about minor dancers on its website. This includes personal contact information and other details that could compromise a dancer’s privacy or safety.

At Season Finale, MVA dancers are released only to the parent or guardian listed through the MVA registration and pick-up process.

Parents and guardians must follow all identification and dancer-release procedures established by Velocity.

When a convention or competition ballroom is located outside the direct line of sight of Velocity staff, such as on another floor or in a separate event area, trained Door Monitors may be stationed at ballroom exits.

At Season Finale, Door Monitors are stationed outside each convention ballroom for the duration of classes.

Minor dancers should not leave a ballroom alone. They must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, registered teacher, or trusted adult designated by their studio.

Every dancer belongs at Velocity.

Velocity welcomes dancers and families of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, LGBTQIA2+ identities, abilities, body types, religions, immigration statuses, and economic backgrounds.

Our commitment includes:

Gender-neutral dressing spaces are available alongside other designated dressing areas.

Dancers and families may speak with a Velocity staff member if they need assistance locating an appropriate changing space.

Velocity scholarships, awards, and recognition programs are based on artistry, versatility, potential, work ethic, and achievement rather than gender.

Velocity judges sign an Implicit Bias Agreement before each event.

By signing the agreement, judges commit to evaluating dancers fairly and avoiding cultural, racial, gender-based, body-based, or other harmful stereotypes.

Velocity is committed to representing dancers from a wide range of backgrounds, identities, body types, and lived experiences throughout our website, marketing, event media, and social platforms.

Through the Velocity Equity Program, eligible dancers may receive need-based assistance covering 50 to 100 percent of convention tuition.

Applications must be submitted by the dancer’s studio. The studio must confirm that the dancer and family are in good standing and meet the applicable program requirements.

Velocity works with dancers, parents, guardians, teachers, and studios to support individual needs whenever reasonably possible.

Support may include reasonable adjustments for:

• Physical disabilities
• Neurodivergence
• Chronic illness
• Sensory needs
• Injuries
• Mobility needs
• Other documented or communicated circumstances affecting participation

Licensed mental health professionals may be available at select Velocity events to provide onsite support.

Studios and families are encouraged to contact Velocity as early as possible so our team can communicate with the venue and determine what accommodations may be available.

Accommodation requests should be emailed to:

info@velocitydanceconvention.com

Providing information in advance gives Velocity and the host venue the best opportunity to prepare and support the dancer’s experience.

Velocity recognizes that dancers are athletes and deserve access to knowledgeable care during an event weekend.

Through our partnership with Limitless, licensed athletic trainers are available at every Velocity event to support dancers experiencing pain, discomfort, or an injury.

The onsite care team may:

• Assess injuries and physical concerns
• Provide immediate support within their professional scope
• Help determine whether continued participation may be appropriate
• Recommend modifications when possible
• Guide dancers, teachers, and guardians when additional medical evaluation may be needed

Dancers needing assistance should visit the Velocity Wellness Booth or speak with a Velocity staff member.

The Wellness Booth does not replace emergency medical services or a dancer’s established healthcare provider.

Parents, guardians, and teachers remain responsible for providing required medications and making final decisions regarding a minor dancer’s medical care.

Visit Limitless Online

Velocity’s safety policies are supported by a clear process for reviewing and responding to reported harm.

Each situation is different. The classification system below helps our team determine the appropriate level of response while considering the seriousness of the conduct, the impact on the person harmed, patterns of behavior, and immediate safety concerns.

A Yellow-level concern may involve an unintentional comment or action that causes discomfort but does not appear to have created lasting harm.

A response may include:

• A direct conversation
• Education and additional training
• Clear expectations for future behavior
• Resources for the person responsible
• Support for the person affected

An Orange-level concern involves more serious harm, repeated boundary crossing, inappropriate comments, or conduct that meaningfully affects a dancer’s safety or well-being, even when malicious intent is not established.

A response may include:

• A formal accountability process
• Increased supervision or restrictions
• Facilitated repair when appropriate and desired
• Communication with affected parties when legally permitted
• Removal from a class, ballroom, event, or role
• Additional training or disciplinary action

A Red-level concern involves severe or intentional harm.

Examples may include abuse, grooming, racism, othering, harassment, serious boundary violations, or any allegation of sexual abuse involving a minor.

A response may include:

• Immediate separation of the accused person from the person reporting harm
• Removal from the event or organization
• Referral to law enforcement, child protection services, or other authorities when required or appropriate
• A formal third-party investigation
• Permanent restrictions or termination of the individual’s relationship with Velocity

Velocity first takes steps to protect the individuals involved and prevent further contact when necessary.

An investigator is chosen who does not have personal ties to the individuals involved.

Red-level reports are handled by qualified third-party professionals when appropriate. These professionals may include private investigators, attorneys, social workers, or other trained specialists.

Individuals are interviewed separately.

The process centers the safety, experience, and needs of the person reporting harm while also gathering information from relevant witnesses and involved parties.

Velocity reviews the findings, implements appropriate consequences, works to repair harm when possible, and communicates outcomes when legally permitted.

This structure allows Velocity to respond thoughtfully and consistently to a wide range of concerns, from misunderstandings that require education to serious misconduct requiring immediate removal and outside intervention.

Our goal is to create a transparent and survivor-centered process that takes all reports seriously while matching the response to the nature and severity of the concern.

We will continue to listen, learn, and act to protect every dancer who attends a Velocity event.

We do this not because it is expected, but because it is the standard our community deserves.

Eve Mason and Cory Jones

Owners and Directors

Velocity Dance Convention