SAFETY POLICY

Our Commitment

The Williamsburg Comicon is dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive experience for all attendees, regardless of age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or cosplay choice. We take harassment seriously and will not tolerate it in any form.

All attendees, vendors, panelists, volunteers, staff, and guests are required to comply with this policy throughout the event and in all event-related social spaces.

Harassment IS NOT TOLERATED

Harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:

• Verbal or written comments that demean, belittle, or threaten any individual or group, including slurs, offensive jokes, or discriminatory remarks.

• Unwanted physical contact of any kind, including touching, grabbing, hugging, or blocking someone’s path.

• Sexual harassment, including unwelcome sexual attention, advances, or innuendo — whether verbal, written, or physical.

• Photographing, recording, or filming any person without their explicit, informed consent.

• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following another person.

• Sustained disruption of panels, presentations, events, or other programming.

• Displaying sexually explicit or gratuitously violent imagery in public spaces without adequate content warnings.

• Advocating for, encouraging, or excusing any of the above behaviors.

• Retaliation against anyone who reports harassment or participates in an investigation.

Cosplay Is Not Consent

A costume is not an invitation. The fact that an attendee is wearing a revealing, suggestive, or character-based costume does not imply consent to be touched, photographed, commented upon in a sexual manner, or treated with anything less than full respect. Always ask before you take a photo, and accept “no” gracefully.

Props, Costume Weapons, and Masks

Anything prohibited by state law (most are covered in 18.2-308 et sequence, the Concealed Weapons Law) or 8VAC-105-20-10 through 8VAC-105-20-40, are prohibited.

• Firearms (loaded or unloaded) 

• Knives longer than 4 inches

• Various martial arts devices (nun chucks, ninja stars, blackjacks, sling shots, etc.)

• Tasers or stun weapons (any electronic or electrical device that may produce interruption to the nervous system)

• Swords that are made of metal or other blunt composition that it may cause injury (foam would not be included)

• The possession of a device made to look like a weapon (i.e. a propelled device like a BB gun) is prohibited.

• Pepper spray for self-defense is not included as a weapon, however its inappropriate use is a Class 6 felony, and malicious use is a Class 3 felony.

A device that is faux, such as a Nerf gun that is clearly a toy or non-functional part of a costume, may be allowed but is subject to inspection that it is not a prohibited item.

The use of masks for costume purposes is permitted, however valid identification must be carried and they must unmask on request by any event entity, security entity, or law enforcement entity. Failure to comply will result in removal from the event. 

How to Report a Problem

If you experience or witness harassment, you have several options:

Agreement to Policy

By registering for the Williamsburg Comicon or entering Virginia Peninsula Community College’s Historic Triangle Campus, all participants agree to abide by this Safety Policy and all applicable campus regulations. This policy applies to all event spaces, including parking areas, hallways, restrooms, and any off-campus gatherings officially associated with the event.

Together, we can make the Williamsburg Comicon a space where everyone feels safe, respected, and free to geek out to the fullest.