We take Care
“To be aware”: to be conscious of something, to stay alert, and to be sensitive to certain issues.
Awareness means attention/mindfulness/consciousness. At an event, awareness represents the effort to create a space where any form of boundary violation, violence, and discrimination — such as sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, or other discriminatory behavior and attitudes — are actively opposed, not tolerated, and where people affected by such behavior can find support.
As the Awareness Team, it’s our job to create an environment where people who might have experienced a boundary violation can feel as comfortable as possible, find a safe space to calm down, be heard, and regain their ability to manage the situation themselves.
Boundary violations happen here too. Most often, they affect people who already experience discrimination within existing societal power structures. Often, people affected by such negative experiences leave events, which further entrenches these discriminatory structures. To prevent this, it’s essential that all participants stay aware of their own boundaries and respect both theirs and others'.
To support this, we have created a guideline aimed at encouraging awareness among all visitors and making it easier to establish and maintain awareness structures at Niehler Freiheit.
NIEHLER FREIHEIT AWARENESS DOCUMENTS
Alongside this detailed concept, the following resources are available to guests and Awareness Teams at Niehler Freiheit:
- Posters — our Code of Conduct = what we expect from people coming to Niehler Freiheit (posted around the venue)
- Zine — the Code of Conduct to take home, including contact information (available at the kiosk/bar)
- Sobriety Guide — for Awareness Teams
AWARENESS: BASICS & KEY TERMS
Awareness is a mindfulness-based approach to interacting with each other. It aims to build consciousness of personal and others' boundaries, as well as awareness of (structural) power dynamics.
Everyone (guests, organizers, artists, etc.) shares responsibility for making sure the event is a space where everyone can feel good.
Consideration and Attention
The ultimate goal of awareness work is to make itself unnecessary — because in a truly aware society, we wouldn’t need these structures anymore. That’s why mindfulness and consideration are crucial.
Please be mindful and look out for each other. If you notice someone isn't doing well, approach them and ask if they need support.
Awareness ≠ Police
The Awareness Team is not an authority or disciplinary body.
Awareness work is always based on the consent of the affected person.
The team only acts when support is desired, though it can reach out to offer help proactively.
Key Terms
- Discrimination: Social mechanisms that disadvantage, exclude, or devalue individuals or groups based on perceived traits like gender identity, skin color, origin, body, or disability. Our approach is intersectional — we recognize multiple, overlapping forms of marginalization.
- Self-Identification: People often get labeled with categories from the outside, based on historical and political power structures. These external labels reinforce discrimination. Self-identifications are names marginalized groups choose for themselves and using them empowers communities.
Example: Which pronouns (she/her, dey/dem, he/him, etc.) does someone want to be addressed with?
When in doubt, ask respectfully. If you’re unsure, saying something like "this person is read by me as..." leaves their self-identification open. - Privileges: Social advantages granted to individuals based on membership in socially constructed "norms" (e.g., white, male, cisgender, able-bodied). Those who lack these privileges are structurally disadvantaged.
- Partiality (taking the perspective of the affected person)): Awareness work requires taking sides — neutrality is not expected. We act in solidarity with people affected, offering them a safe space to share their experiences without judgment.
- Power of Definition: Affected people themselves define where their boundaries lie, if and how they were crossed, and what kind of violence or discrimination they experienced. This definition can change over time.
- Consent – Only Yes Means Yes: Consent means active agreement, not the absence of a "no." "No" always means no, and only a clear "yes" means yes. Consent is a method for communicating needs, boundaries, and desires.
IMPLEMENTATION OF AWARENESS STRUCTURES AT NIEHLER FREIHEIT
- Awareness Team
The Awareness Team consists of 4 people:- 1 NF-member with awareness experience
- 1 mobile team with several members, including at least 1 person with first aid training, constantly moving around the venue
- Walkie-Talkies
Each Awareness Team gets a walkie-talkie at the start of their shift to stay in contact. Channel agreements are made before shifts start. - Awareness Point/Kiosk
There is always someone from the Awareness Team at the kiosk — the fixed contact point where Zines are also available. - Awareness Room
The tea kitchen hosts our Awareness Room: a retreat with first aid supplies, tea, hot water bottles, blankets, and fidget toys (clay, pens, glow sticks).
The room is exclusively for those needing a safe retreat — no chilling or consumption allowed. - Shift Handover
Before starting your shift, make sure you’ve had a handover. Ongoing incidents are passed on confidentially to protect affected people continuously. Shift handovers are also a time to communicate your own boundaries within the team. - Confidentiality
Anything shared with the Awareness Team is subject to strict confidentiality. - Visibility and Reachability
The Awareness Team is easy to recognize in pink vests and reachable via the cash desk, bar, and shift leads. - After the Event
- For guests: Forms are available to document incidents and Awareness Team contact info will be shared for post-event follow-up.
- For NF members: Internal debriefing happens within the Awareness Working Group.
- External helpers: Always welcome to reach out afterward for a debrief.
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY? PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Boundaries are subjective!
Only the affected person can say whether a boundary was crossed. Never question their perception.
If the Awareness Team notices potential boundary violations, they can offer support — but must respect if it’s declined.
Goal: Restoring Agency
If someone has experienced a boundary violation, the goal is to help them regain agency over themselves.
You can offer:
- Ask what they need or what would feel good
- Listen without judgment or questioning
- Never discuss or challenge the experience
- Always ask for permission before any physical contact (even for comforting hugs)
Offer options like:
→ Retreating together to the Awareness Room
→ Tea or a hot water bottle
→ Finding friends
→ Supporting a conversation with the person who crossed the boundary
→ Taking a walk together outside
When You Feel Overwhelmed
If you feel a situation is beyond your capacity:
- Bring in teammates, door staff, or shift leads for support.
- If necessary, have visible support nearby without overwhelming the conversation.
- Only one person should be talking to avoid escalation.
If you were brought in as backup:
- Stay passive unless you need to take over for safety reasons (only in emergencies, not disagreements).
Physical, Psychological, or Emotional Violence
If someone continues violent behavior despite being asked to stop, the final consequence may be expulsion from the event.
Decisions like banning someone are always made collectively with the Awareness Team and shift lead and later discussed in the wider group.
Important: Know Your Own Limits!
You can only offer good support if your own boundaries are respected too. Always ask yourself:
Am I the right person for this situation?
Can I handle this emotionally right now?
If not, step back and get someone else to step in. Honesty and transparency are essential!
About this Concept
This document is a blend of many sources and was last updated by the Niehler Freiheit Awareness Working Group in April 2025.
It draws inspiration from earlier drafts and from a text by AwareMess (a group formed at ECMC 2019 in Brussels) and has been tailored to the specifics of Niehler Freiheit as a space and a collective.
In 2025, a new chapter will be added on awareness practices for smaller cultural events at Niehler Freiheit.