Nearly 25 years ago, I stepped into the AV industry. I like to show that longevity by dating myself by mentioning the first product I sold: a DVD/CD duplicator. Yes, times have changed! Well, with technology, at least. One thing that has not seen the change I champion is harassment, which still lingers in the AV industry. While I have seen some change (like, when did we ever talk about DEIB or workplace bias when I started in the industry?), we still have a long way to go.
I am not writing this piece to point fingers at the behavior. I think we have done enough of that. I am also not here to just blame men. And, although the statistics are higher that a woman will be harassed in her lifetime, I have witnessed such harassment from women, as well. As we roll into InfoComm in a few short weeks, what I am here to do is to provide resources in the event you do become a victim of harassment. I also want to provide guidance on what you should do if you witness it.
I add “witness” because, very early in my career, I witnessed a C-suite executive grope someone at an after-hours event. Alcohol was a factor, which it commonly is, and the situation became increasingly uncomfortable for me and, of course, for the victim. I was frozen, not sure what to do. I knew this individual was in a position where they could easily get me fired. I was also afraid to stand up for the victim and myself. It is a regret I still carry with me to this day.
Protecting Yourself
So, what are some things you can do to protect yourself from being in this situation? Here are just a few tips to follow:
- First, stay close to friends. Attend events with friends you can trust and who look out for one another.
- Know your alcohol limits and know what you are drinking. According to research, more than half of assaults involve the use of alcohol. Intoxication can make you significantly more vulnerable to assault by impairing your judgment or inhibiting your ability to fight off an attacker. Do not drink something you did not order yourself. Do not drink something you don’t receive directly from the server or don’t physically see the server provide.
- Trust your instincts. If something about a person or location feels wrong, leave immediately and seek out a crowd of people.
- It’s OK to lie. Yes, I said it is OK to lie. If something about a location or situation feels off to you and you want to leave immediately, don’t feel bad about making up an excuse.
If You are a Witness
If I could go back to my younger self, witnessing harassment before my very eyes, I would draw on the wisdom I have now and do these things:
- Assess the situation. Do not put yourself in harm’s way! Ask yourself these questions: Will I be safe if I intervene? Is the person being harassed at a threat of physical harm? Will my intervening make things worse? Is there anyone around who can help?
- Depending on the situation, either directly help or distract the harasser to put a stop to the harassment.
- Do not be afraid to let a friend know if something is making you uncomfortable or if you are worried about their safety.
- Document the incident. Sometimes, just knowing that they are being caught on camera is enough to defuse a situation, particularly in our social-media world. But having the incident on camera can also help if the person who has been harassed wants to report it.
Say you use every precaution mentioned and, nevertheless, either you or someone you care about becomes the victim of harassment. What recourse do you have? What should you do next?
First, AVIXA has strict rules regarding harassment. They are contained in a statement on the InfoComm website. You are highly encouraged to report incidents of harassment. Discipline for harassment could result in expulsion from current and/or future AVIXA meetings, conferences and events. Depending on the severity of the attack, you may also want to report it to the police.
One of the pieces I find the most important when it comes to this topic is after-care and support should an incident occur. The effects of harassment can be psychological, emotional and physical on the victim. It can result in things like depression, self-harm, panic attacks and even PTSD.
Some of the ways to work through these effects are to open up to someone you trust or to seek the help of a professional therapist trained in the trauma that such abuse causes. There are also hotlines you could call for advice. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) has its National Sexual Assault telephone hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673). By calling, you can be connected with a trained staff member from a service provider in your area.
Another option is to join a support group with other sexual-assault survivors. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) maintains a directory of organizations that lists state and territory sexual-assault coalitions, victim/survivor support organizations, and sexual-assault organizations for local communities of color. Whatever you decide to do, take care of YOU!
As I close out this article, let this be a reminder for everyone: Show each other the respect we all deserve. Let us not allow alcohol to be an excuse of poor behavior, and let us have a safe, fun InfoComm experience this year.
Looking forward to seeing all of you on the show floor!
Tammy Fuqua is developer partner manager at QSC. She is also an active member of the AVIXA Women’s Council and currently a co-leader of the Los Angeles and Orange County region.
