Statement - Safety and News 2024

Dear community:

Through this statement we want to talk to you about Security at the convention and tell you about a series of measures that we have been working on, that have been and will be implemented in the future to improve safety, transparency and provide you with tools that will allow you to enjoy the event and also will help us take care of you.

We are currently in the middle of a process of changes, integrations and also resignations within the staff. The concerns of our community are not foreign to those of us who are part of this organization and as we continue our process of development and growth we want to be more and better.

So far in 2024 we have incorporated talent in different areas of the organization, but it is still insufficient given the changing needs of our community and the accelerated growth of the convention. Bottom line: we need a lot of help.

Once the reassignment of responsibilities process is concluded, we will publish the complete organization chart of Confuror 2024 and we will do the same with past editions, providing transparency regarding duties and responsibilities in each sector of the event according to its edition. This is information that we already make available each year in our Conbooks, but we believe it has relevance on the web.

To those who have been part of Confuror throughout its history, we appreciate the selfless service they have provided. Much of this invaluable work is sometimes invisible, and although the responsibilities and tasks left today generate a void —and a challenge—, we understand that people sometimes need to take different paths.

In that sense and having noticed that some people who are not part of the organization (or who have ceased to be part of it) present themselves holding titles in relation to the event, it is of utmost importance to us to highlight that: any person who call themselves “staff”, “founder”, “advisor” or “collaborator” and it is not a part from the current organization chart, It does not reflect the values, criteria and objectives of Confuror, nor does it play a role or have any decision-making power within the organization. We highlight this to avoid confusion or crossed versions regarding what the event does or has not done. The important thing to do to avoid misinformation is to always go to the source.

If you have any concerns, we have direct contact channels for questions and to clarify doubts on any topic about the convention (current or past). It may take us a bit to respond, but we are here to answer and address any concerns.

We have also carefully reviewed our current communication procedures and We conclude that it is not appropriate for different members of the organization to respond through their personal accounts, nor to intervene on behalf of the event. It leads to confusion and misunderstanding and ultimately frustrates any attempt at closeness or help.

That is why from now on, all event communications will be centralized in Aliberto, through the official Confuror profiles and @ConfurorInfo account on Telegram (https://t.me/ConfurorInfo); this includes any questions regarding the event, reports, suggestions, observations, etc.

If for any reason this does not give you confidence or you need to address a sensitive topic and you would prefer to do so in privacy, you can request to contact an event director to address your report with the discretion it deserves.

Why is it important to report?

Although we have security hired especially to take care of you and also the staff - both from the hotel and the event - are always attentive to any situation, nothing is effective as long as we do not find out what is happening.

If anything happens during the event and within its spaces, we strongly urge you to notify us. During the event, any violation of the code of conduct will be sanctioned on the spot and if it is necessary to give the intervention to the authorities, we will not hesitate to do so. Once the event is over, the investigation and reconstruction of events becomes extremely difficult, while the intervention framework we have is much reduced.

Why is it important to turn to the authorities?

Because it is the only measure that truly guarantees your protection from situations of abuse, violence, harassment, hate, etc. Not only during the 4 days of Confuror, but also during the remaining 361 days of the year.

The Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office has a directory of procedures and services where it indicates the different requirements to report depending on the situation, as well as resources at your containment service and care for victims of crimes and violence. More information

The sole report to the police authorities is sufficient reason and resource for the event to proceed to preventively ban and this is nothing new: we have already acted in that sense.

The event cannot intervene in private disputes that occur outside the space the event occupies, or the days on which it takes place. This is why we ask that in the event of any situation of abuse, violence or hate and discrimination in any of its forms, do not hesitate in giving the corresponding intervention to the authorities and also to the staff so that we can accompany you.

The event also cannot intervene in spaces outside the scope of the convention, so if something happens in the hotel rooms, it is very important that you turn to the authorities; However, reporting it to the staff is also important and helps us accompany you and take care of you during the convention.

And what happens to minors in Confuror? How do you protect them?

In relation to the admission of minors to our convention, there are many efforts that the organization makes to protect them and this translates into specific safety measures, some already in practice since our inception and others brand new for the 2024 edition.

The most important change that was implemented for this edition is that Minors must be accompanied at all times by their parents or legal guardians, who must sign an authorization without exception. More information

In part, this is not new given that since the first edition of Confuror in 2018, parents and guardians signed their consent and authorization so that the minor could attend, this was always very clear to us: it is for safety and for responsibility.

Additionally:

• We have rethought the design of the badges and will include much clearer signs regarding the fact that it is a minor and their accompanying adult.
• We will try to provide material and orientation spaces for parents and guardians, in that sense we are open to listening to content proposals for such activities.
• Work will be done to further distinguish and improve the controls in the different +18 spaces

If during the development of the event you find a minor without their accompanying parents or guardians, continuing with what we explained previously about the importance of reporting: we ask that you help us by notifying the staff to take immediate intervention.

Final Considerations

During this extensive statement we try to account for a series of important changes in the organization of the event, we also seek to provide transparency and visibility regarding what we do and what you can do so that Confuror is a safe integration space for anyone who wishes to participate.

Confuror in essence is a great act of love towards our community, the organization of an event of these characteristics and dimensions requires a delicate act of balancing between the responsibilities, jobs, studies and available time of each member of the staff.

No one receives any compensation for participating and yet we are proud to be part of a project that has managed to become one of the 20 largest Furry conventions in the world. None of this would have been possible without your support or that of each volunteer, collaborator, staff and director.

The future that is coming is auspicious, we have the space and there are resources to grow even further, but we need the help of our community, your help to be able to continue fulfilling and rising to the occasion.

We hope that this channel of dialogue, these changes and those to come ignite your desire to participate, propose and contribute to become bigger and better.

And please, if you have any questions, if you would like to create some space within your community or if you need to know more about the event, do not hesitate to write to us.

Greetings and thank you very much for your attention.

—The Confuror 2024 team