AWARENESS CONCEPT

for staff, residents, and guests
(Status: May 2025)

Introduction

Libken is a residency and meeting place in Brandenburg, established as an open space for people from different backgrounds. People come here to work, live, and exchange ideas.
To ensure a respectful and pleasant environment at Libken, we have a set of values and rules that we ask everyone to follow.

This awareness concept is based on our Code of Conduct and outlines which behaviors are not tolerated and what consequences may follow violations. It also provides guidelines for those affected and staff in conflict situations.

Values, Rules, Red and Yellow Flags

Our Code of Conduct describes in detail our attitude, values, and goals. Please read it carefully and take it to heart. Respect for your own boundaries and those of others is important to us. What is okay for you may be a boundary violation for someone else. Respect other people's limits and only act with their clear consent. A “maybe” or lack of response does not count as a yes. Take responsibility for your actions, even if mistakes were unintentional. It is important to be sensitive to others’ feelings and to listen.

We do not tolerate behavior that violates the basic values of respect and togetherness. This includes physical violence and threats of violence, deliberate sexism and racism, theft, fraud, deliberate property damage, as well as other forms of discrimination. Excessive drug and alcohol use that makes others feel unsafe is also not welcome. To clarify what types of behavior result in which consequences, we have divided them into Red and Yellow Flags.

In a conflict situation, we proceed as follows: one member of the awareness team supports the affected person, while another engages with the accused person. These roles are kept strictly separate to ensure independent support.

Red Flags — behavior that clearly crosses a red line and may result in removal from a situation or even the entire stay at Libken:
– physical violence
– threats of violence
– deliberate racism and sexism
– theft
– fraud
– deliberate property damage
– sustained, intentional harm or disruption to the project

Yellow Flags — behavior that is addressed, observed in context, and reflected upon with those involved:
– verbal or psychological violence
– verbally inappropriate or boundary-crossing behavior
– unconscious or unreflected racist and sexist remarks

Anyone unwilling to reflect on and change their behavior in these cases may also be excluded from the situation or the entire stay.

Consequences of Red-Flag Behavior

Behavior we define as Red Flags has immediate consequences and may result in removal from the current situation or the entire stay at Libken. In such cases, the person responsible for security will issue a removal order and refer to our house rules. If the order is not followed, the police will be called.

Upon removal, the person is asked to leave the premises — ideally during the day using public transport (bus and train). A handout with taxi numbers and train schedules is available. If departure happens at night, a ride to the train station may be arranged, but under the condition that no one drives alone with the person.
If immediate departure is not possible (e.g., due to intoxication, acute self-harm risk, or lack of transport options), and if the circumstances or behavior permit it, we will provide a temporary sleeping arrangement.

Dealing with Yellow-Flag Behavior

Yellow Flags are situations or behaviors we are alerted to, or where we sense something is off. In such cases, we address the behavior, issue a warning, and observe whether it changes.

If someone feels threatened, the people involved are spoken to separately. The awareness person and the security person may then meet and negotiate how to proceed. If there is no noticeable change, we reserve the right to act as with a Red Flag and issue a removal.

For People Affected

You don’t feel safe? Someone touched you without consent, insulted or threatened you? Someone is getting too close? You have the right to feel safe! If you want support or someone to talk to, speak up! If you see someone else needs help: ask the affected person or let someone know.

Contacts and Points of Contact

In daily operations at Libken, there is always a guest care person available. You will find their contact details on the whiteboard in the communal kitchen on the ground floor of the middle entrance.

During larger events, there is always an awareness representative on site. Their contact information will be displayed on a poster, infographic, chalkboard, etc., in a clearly visible location. You can also speak to the person(s) at the bar — they have been briefed.

The poster, infographic, or board will also include emergency numbers for situations like injuries, fire, etc.

For Staff in Guest Care

As a guest care person, you are the first point of contact for residency guests in day-to-day operations. You don’t have to be available 24/7, but you should respond to calls and messages as promptly as possible. In emergencies or acute conflict situations where someone feels unsafe and needs support, you should respond quickly and seek assistance from the operator team.

Awareness at Our Events

Before each larger event, the team (host, security, awareness representative, and other participants) meets to coordinate awareness roles for the evening. It is decided and communicated who takes on which roles. A summary of the awareness guidelines, emergency numbers, and the contact info of the awareness representative must be posted clearly in multiple locations on the site.

Awareness & Security

At our events, we assign two distinct roles. The awareness person is available for emotionally stressful situations, helps mediate conflicts, and offers a safe space for conversations with affected individuals. The security person is responsible for enforcing house rules and intervenes in cases of harassment, boundary violations, or Red Flag situations. Both roles operate independently but stay in communication.

Evacuation Plan & Retreat Room

As part of the pre-event briefing, a simple evacuation plan is also defined. A room on the premises is designated as a safe retreat space and always has a second escape route. Additionally, a communication chain is defined to ensure quick, coordinated, and transparent action in case of emergency. This plan is especially relevant in the event that external disruptors, e.g., with politically motivated intent, attempt to interfere with one of our events.

Conversation Guidelines

Instructions for interacting with affected individuals — or: when someone speaks to you about something that happened to them:

– Try to listen empathetically and without judgment. Offer a quiet and safe place to talk.
– Ask how you can support the person and try to meet their needs without forgetting your own boundaries.
– Do not judge their experience or try to investigate “what really happened.”
– Listen carefully and patiently. The goal is to understand the affected person's needs.
– Give them time and respect their decision if they don’t want to talk to someone else about it.
– Do not share any information with others without their consent.
– Avoid rushing to find solutions. This is about support, not efficiency.
– If the topic is too heavy for you, assess whether you can help at that moment. If not, get support or find someone else.
– Respect the person’s wishes — e.g., if they don’t want any consequences to be taken.

Instructions for interacting with accused individuals — or: when you talk to someone who caused harm:

– Introduce yourself and ask for the accused person’s name.
– Talk specifically about what they are being accused of. Give them the opportunity to respond.
– If it’s a Red Flag, explain the consequences (removal and/or police involvement).
– If it’s a Yellow Flag, find out whether the person is willing to change their behavior. In consultation with the awareness representative and/or affected person, it can be decided whether the person can continue participating.
– Stay friendly and open, even if the conversation is unpleasant.
– Explain that you are not judging but are responsible for safety and upholding the values and rules defined in the Code of Conduct.
– Encourage the person to learn from the incident and offer support if they want to continue the conversation with someone else.
– Emphasize confidentiality so the person feels safe.

Debriefing Incidents

After an incident, a debrief takes place no later than the following day with the security person, awareness representative, event host, and operator team. The goal is to thoroughly document the incident, create a protocol, and agree on next steps. It is assessed whether external support from experts is needed. Upon request, affected persons can be assisted in finding suitable counseling or support services. We provide contact information and resources. A decision is also made whether legal steps should be taken against the accused person.

Important Emergency Numbers

Police: 110
Fire Department: 112
Ambulance: 112
Poison Control: 030 / 19240
Crisis Hotline / Pastoral Care: 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222
Violence Against Women Helpline: 116 016
Sexual Abuse Helpline: 0800 22 55 530

Emergency Room Prenzlau Hospital:
Stettiner Straße 121
17291 Prenzlau
Phone: 03984 33-380