To be aware means, first and foremost, to be attentive or mindful and to be sensitive to people’s issues and boundaries. Awareness is a concept that focuses on respectful behavior toward one another. It is about supporting one another and creating a space where everyone can feel comfortable and no form of harassment or discriminatory behavior is tolerated.

In this context, what constitutes a boundary violation is defined individually by those affected: We do not question which incidents cause people to feel attacked, disrespected, discriminated against, hurt, belittled, or overwhelmed. What may seem like a harmless trifle to one person can, for others, spoil their enjoyment of the party or event. If you’re unsure whether your behavior is appropriate, we recommend that, when in doubt, you ask one too many times rather than one too few. In the event of an incident, those affected can contact our trained Awareness Team on-site for support. You can find the team at the Awareness Point in the Talking Trees and patrolling the grounds. Contact information is provided below.

WE BELIEVE THE VICTIMS
People who experience a violation of their personal boundaries are at the heart of everything we do. We believe their accounts and stand in solidarity with them. Our goal is to empower them by addressing their needs. So that victims can feel safe and comfortable enough to enjoy the DEICHBRAND Festival and have a good time.

LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER
You have the right to feel safe and respected. If you feel harassed or uncomfortable, you can contact the Awareness Team or festival staff at any time. If you see that someone else needs help: ask the person if they want support or let the Awareness Team know. They take all reports seriously.

WE SHARE SPACE
Please be mindful of how much space you take up, especially when dancing, at the campground (volume, consumption), or during conversations. We all want to celebrate without making others feel crowded!

ONLY YES MEANS YES
At DEICHBRAND, we all want to have fun together. This means we want to make sure we respect others’ boundaries. Ask if the person you’re talking to wants to talk, interact, or celebrate with you. Even a lack of consent or a “maybe” is not a yes! If a person does end up feeling uncomfortable: every person has the right to decide when a boundary has been crossed.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS
Make an effort to be open and listen. It is important to us that we all take responsibility for our actions. This includes educating ourselves and staying informed. Even if you have no malicious intent: if someone feels hurt by you, that takes precedence over your intention.

GENDER IS NOT VISIBLE
Please do not assume someone’s gender based on their appearance. Just because you perceive someone as male or female does not mean that person identifies that way. Being assigned the wrong gender by others can also be very hurtful. If in doubt, please ask which pronouns (he, she, they, none, …) the person prefers to be addressed with.

ALL-GENDER RESTROOMS
Non-binary, trans*, and inter* people often experience discrimination as well as verbal and physical violence in restrooms. All restrooms are all-gender restrooms. However, there is no way to wash your hands at the portable toilets. The flush toilets are marked on the map and have soap and water. Therefore, they are better suited for changing hygiene products.

ALL-GENDER SHOWERS
Gender-neutral showers can be found in the sanitation camp at Womo Central (right at the camp entrance).
CONSUMPTION & BOUNDARIES
The DEICHBRAND Festival wants everyone to have a great time, and for many, that includes drinking alcohol. Nevertheless, please be mindful and responsible when consuming alcohol, as it affects your behavior and perception. It is important that everyone remains aware of their own boundaries and those of others.

FREE TAP WATER
Remember to drink plenty of water! There are free drinking water stations throughout the festival grounds. You can find them on the site map. We recommend bringing empty collapsible water bottles.

PHOTOS & VIDEOS: ONLY WITH PERMISSION!
If you want to take photos or videos that include other guests, always ask for permission. Especially if you plan to post them on social media: Not everyone wants to be featured online, and once something is uploaded, it remains searchable forever. If the DEICHBRAND media team takes photos or videos of you and you do not want them to, you can contact them directly and request that they be deleted. The media team is identified by special T-shirts or passes.

If you feel harassed, uncomfortable, or discriminated against, you can contact the Awareness Team at any time for support. We have set up an on-site help desk for this purpose, as well as a team that patrols the grounds.

The Awareness Team can be recognized by their vests (pink) and our Awareness symbol:

You can reach the Awareness Team at the festival via Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, text message, or phone call:
0162 8699 647

The Awareness Point is located in the Talking Trees. 
It is staffed continuously throughout the entire festival period: Wednesday (3:00 PM) – Monday (12:00 PM)

Before or after the festival, you can use the contact form at the bottom of the page to ask questions, make requests, or provide feedback (anonymously if you prefer).
At the Awareness Point, there is informational material available on support services, e.g., for victims of discrimination and people with mental health conditions in the local area as well as nationwide. Information on telephone support hotlines is also posted there. Everything you share with the Awareness Team is confidential—unless you specifically request that it be shared further.

The DEICHBRAND Festival provides safe spaces at the Awareness Point that can be used in the event of an incident. Here, you can have confidential conversations with the Awareness Team. These spaces can also be used by neurodiverse individuals (e.g., those with ADHD or autism spectrum disorders) when they need some quiet time.

The Awareness Team cannot be everywhere on the festival grounds at once. By asking, “Where can I find the Panama?” you can ask any festival staff member (Awareness Team, Security, bar staff, festival crew, etc.) wearing a pink Panama hat or Awareness wristband for help. No further questions will be asked. The staff will first take the person in need to a quieter place. There, you can decide for yourself what kind of support you want.

Quick explanation:
Ask our staff (wearing a Panama hat or Awareness wristband), “Where’s Panama?”
We’ll help you without asking questions & offer a place to retreat
You decide how you’d like to be helped! E.g., by contacting the Awareness Team, medical staff, or police
Important: “Where’s Panama?” is an additional service. Of course, you can always approach the Awareness Team and any staff member at the festival to ask for support without using this phrase and without having to explain why

Approach the person in question and ask if they’d like some support. You can tell them where to find the Awareness Team, contact the team on their behalf, or accompany them to the Awareness Point. Think about how you might act and intervene in situations like this: What kind of help would you want in this situation?
Remember: If someone doesn’t want help, that’s absolutely okay.

Racist or sexist jokes
Getting too close to people and not respecting their personal space
Judging people based on their ID numbers
Staring
Touching people without their consent
Catcalling
Touching someone’s wheelchair without permission
Pulling people’s hair
Blackface
Please note: This list is not exhaustive!

The Awareness Team can’t be everywhere. That’s why it’s important to us that you, as guests or staff members, also do your part to make this a great, safer festival for everyone! This includes stepping in if you think someone needs support. It’s important to speak directly to the person involved and ask if they need help. It’s perfectly okay if you feel overwhelmed at first. Since it’s not always easy to know what to do, here are afew simple tips.
Please note: If someone doesn’t want help, please respect their decision. Remember that the police aren’t always the best option. If you feel that someone’s life is in immediate danger, call emergency services (112), the police (110), or security.
Whatever you do, always make sure you’re safe yourself!

1. ASSESS / IDENTIFY
The first step in helping someone is recognizing that they’re in trouble. Keep your eyes open and learn to spot these situations.

2. DIRECT INTERVENTION
Don’t look away if you observe inappropriate, violent, or discriminatory behavior. Address the person directly, tell them what you’ve observed, and ask if they need support.
Examples:
Should we go somewhere else together (e.g., find some friends)?
Do you feel this person is being intrusive? Do you need support?
Should I accompany you to the Awareness Team or contact them for you?
Or: Address the person committing the violence directly and tell them bluntly that this is harassment and they should stop.

3. DISTRAACT THEM
Try to de-escalate the situation indirectly through a diversionary tactic. Shift attention away from the person affected so that they—if they wish—can leave discreetly.
Examples:
Start a conversation with the person committing the harassment; ask for the time, directions, or where the restroom is. Or get creative: start singing and dancing loudly—come up with something that draws attention to you.

4. DELEGATE
Ask someone else for help: Call in the Awareness Team or someone you trust to de-escalate the situation. This could be a friend, a festival staff member, security, or someone else on-site. Point out the incident and ask for help. If you want to involve someone from further away, address them directly: "Hey, you in the red sweater, can you help?”

5. PROVIDE SUPPORT AFTERWARDS
We can’t always intervene directly, but it’s always possible to approach the affected person after the situation and ask: Are you okay? Is there anything I can do for you? Should I call someone for you? You can always point them to the Awareness Team and accompany them there, or contact the Awareness Team yourself.

6. DOCUMENT
If you feel unsure or don’t feel comfortable helping, you can document the situation (notes, photos, video) to give the affected person the opportunity to use this material after the incident, e.g., to file a report. Try to note as precisely as possible where and what happened and what the people involved looked like. Let the affected person know that you witnessed the incident and offer to document what happened in writing.

7. DISCUSS
We need more people who are aware of harassment and the importance of standing up for others. Help spread awareness of this issue by talking to friends about discrimination and other forms of harassment and showing them how easy it is to intervene

We developed our awareness program in collaboration with Safe the Dance, an agency focused on inclusion, diversity, and awareness, and we are committed to continuously improving it. That’s why we welcome your perspectives, experiences, and suggestions! Feel free to share them with us at any time by using the contact form.

Contact Form

Resources Useful Links

Book Recommendations Glossary

Our awareness efforts are based on the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG); here you can learn about your legal rights in cases of discrimination.

Learn more now