Code of Conduct
ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security
(CCS) follows "ACM's Policy Against Harassment at ACM
Activities", as stated below. If you would like to report
unacceptable behavior, please contact the Program Chairs
at ccs2021@cs.ucsb.edu. We
are committed to protecting the confidentiality of your
communication.
The open exchange of ideas is central to the Association for
Computing Machinery’s mission. This requires an environment
that embraces diversity and provides a safe, welcoming
environment for all.
This policy applies to all ACM activities, including:
- conferences, symposia, workshops, and events
sponsored, co-sponsored, or in cooperation with ACM any
ACM SIG or Chapter or any other ACM subunit;
- ACM member meetings;
- exchanges among committees or other bodies associated
with ACM activities publications and communications
sent through communication channels associated with
ACM, including social media.
Expected Behavior
We expect all participants in ACM activities to abide by
this policy in all venues, including ancillary events and
unofficial social gatherings:
- Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or
harassing behavior and speech
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants
- Alert community leaders if you notice a dangerous
situation, someone in distress, or violations of this
policy, even if they seem inconsequential
Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable at any ACM activity is:
- Abuse: Any action directed at an individual that (a)
interferes substantially with that person’s
participation; or (b) causes that person to fear for
his/her personal safety. This includes threats,
intimidation, bullying, stalking, or other types of
abuse.
- Discriminatory Harassment: Any conduct that
discriminates or denigrates an individual on the basis
of race, ethnicity, religion, citizenship, nationality,
age, sexual or gender identity, disability, or any other
characteristic protected by law in the location where
the ACM activity takes place.
- Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances,
requests for sexual favors, or other verbal/physical
conduct of a sexual nature.Examples include (but are not
limited to): Alert community leaders if you notice a
dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations
of this policy, even if they seem inconsequential.
- unwelcome advances or propositions, particularly when one individual has authority over the other;
- inappropriate touching of an individual’s body;
- degrading or humiliating comments about an individual’s appearance;
- using an activity-related communication channel to display or distribute sexually explicit images or messages;
Unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to:
- intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory,
derogatory or demeaning speech or actions
- offensive, degrading, humiliating, harmful, or
prejudicial verbal or written comments or visual images
related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion,
disability, age, appearance, or other personal
characteristics
- unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, or other verbal/physical conduct of a sexual
nature
- inappropriate or gratuitous use of nudity, sexual
images, or stereotyped images including using an
activity-related communication channel to display or
distribute sexually explicit or otherwise offensive or
discriminatory images or messages
- deliberate intimidation, stalking or following
- harassing photography or recording
- sustained disruption of talks or other events
- unwelcome and uninvited attention or contact
- physical assault (including unwelcome touch or groping)
- real or implied threat of physical harm
- real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm
Harassment can occur when there is no deliberate
intention to offend. Be careful in the words that you
choose. Harassment committed in a joking manner or
disguised as a compliment still constitutes unacceptable
behavior. Remember that sexist, racist, and other
exclusionary jokes can be offensive to those around
you.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
If a participant in an ACM activity engages in prohibited
behavior, ACM reserves the right to take any action ACM
deems appropriate. ACM reserves the right to:
- remove an individual from any ACM activity without warning or refund;
- prohibit an individual from participating in future ACM activities, including publishing in ACM publications;
- exclude an individual from ACM leadership positions;
- exclude any individual from deriving other benefits from ACM activities;
- suspend or terminate membership in ACM.
Such sanctions may be applied regardless of whether or
not the offender is a member of ACM.
Appropriate sanctions also will be taken toward any
individual who knowingly makes a false allegation of
harassment.
How to Report Unacceptable Behavior
Any individual who experiences harassment (as described
above) at any ACM activity should follow
the Procedures
for Reporting Unacceptable Behavior.
This policy applies only to unacceptable behavior at
ACM activities. Complaints regarding other issues should
be addressed as described under the applicable ACM
policy. For example, complaints about papers and
publications should be made under either ACM's
Code
of Ethics and Professional Conduct or its
Plagiarism
Policy.
Addressing Grievances
If you feel you have been falsely or unfairly accused
of violating this Policy Against Harassment at ACM
Activities you should
notify advocate@acm.org
with a concise description of your grievance. Your
grievance will be thoroughly investigated. Your grievance
will be handled in accordance with our existing
procedures.
Warnings and Disclaimers
This Policy Against Harassment at ACM Activities is not
intended to limit open discussion of the merits of
particular work or issues presented at ACM events. It
applies only to behavior at ACM events and activities.
ACM assumes no liability or responsibility for the actions of any
member or other activity participant.
ACM is not responsible for protecting the safety of members or
participants in ACM activities. Any individual who feels his/her
safety is at risk due to harassment or for any other reason is
encouraged to take appropriate steps to ensure personal safety.
This Policy supersedes any policy or guidelines concerning harassment
issued by ACM, or one of its Special Interest Groups, or any other ACM
sub-unit.
There may be situations (such as those involving Title IX issues in
the United States and venue- or employer-specific policies) where an
on-site person who is informed of harassment will be under an
obligation to file a report with an individual or organization outside
of ACM.
Acknowledgments and Further Reading
