"To be aware" means to be conscious and mindful.
BEING CONSCIOUS of one’s own social standing in society and of the fact that discriminatory and transgressive behaviour and sexualised violence do not stop at our festival doors. This is why we want to take responsibility at the m4music Festival and find ways to notice and respond to discriminatory and transgressive behaviour.
BEING MINDFUL of the personal, psychological and physical limits of our fellow human beings so that they are respected and accepted. Because everyone defines his or her limits differently and only yes means yes – everything else means no.
Awareness deals with the issues that arise in connection with the disregard of limits. Discrimination based on national, ethnic and social origin, gender, gender identity, sexuality, age, appearance and body, religion or disability as well as sexualised violence are an issue because they are not individual incidents but components of social power structures.
This awareness and the resulting mindfulness when dealing with fellow human beings (especially those who may be victims of discrimination and/or sexualised violence) aim to prevent transgressions, discrimination and sexualised violence as far as possible and to make the m4music Festival a safer place for all.
At the m4music Festival, we are all responsible for making sure that everyone feels as comfortable as possible. This requires collective commitment.
The aim of awareness is to work toward a less discriminatory space, in which people are more respectful towards and mindful of each other and understand and consider their social behaviour against the backdrop of social power structures.
In case limits are not respected, awareness also includes the careful handling of victims of transgressions, discrimination and sexualised violence. Awareness helps those affected not to individualise their own personal experiences, but to create solidarity, togetherness and social change. In awareness work, we focus on the person affected.
We take you seriously, we don't question your perception and we support you. The following support services are available for people affected at the m4music Festival:
At the m4music Festival, an Awareness Team will be on site. You can recognize the team by their green caps and find them at the Awareness Point in the Schiffbau foyer. If your boundaries have been crossed and/or you have experienced discrimination or sexualized violence, or if you witness something, they are there for you. And of course, if you are interested in the topic of awareness, want to learn more, or engage in dialogue, feel free to approach the Awareness Team at any time.
Our festival area is large. To ensure that you don’t have to search for the Awareness Team in case of a boundary violation, discrimination, or experience of sexualized violence, they are stationed at the Awareness Point in the Schiffbau foyer. The Awareness Point is located opposite the Info Point, halfway through the foyer towards Moods, Halle, and Box.
You can find the Awareness Team at the Awareness Point from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM, and from 2:00 AM onwards at Exil.
A space away from the festival crowd can help you regain calm after an experience of boundary-crossing behavior. It provides a quiet place to reflect and consider your next steps without pressure or stress. Speak to the Awareness Team, and they will accompany you to the Safer Space. You are also welcome to bring someone you trust.
Sometimes it can take time to become aware of situations of transgression, discrimination or sexualised violence. Sometimes it is too overwhelming to talk about it at the moment of transgression. For such cases, we have an email address, where you can reach us after an incident: awareness@m4music.ch
The Awareness mailbox is also regularly emptied during the Festival. If you prefer to contact us in writing, you can do so by email.
Messages – which we treat confidentially of course – help us to consider our measures, improve our actions and uncover blind spots. This is why we are happy about every message and thank you for your trust already.
We cannot offer professional help. But there are counselling centres you can turn to.
– Opferberatung Zürich (victim counselling) www.obzh.ch
– Frauenberatung sexuelle Gewalt (women's counselling) www.frauenberatung.ch
– Telefon gegen Gewalt (telephone against violence) telefon-gegen-gewalt.ch
– LGBTIQ-Helpline www.lgbtiq-helpline.ch
– Zürcher Anlaufstelle Rassismus (anti racism contact point) zueras.ch
– Pro Juventute www.147.ch
– Victim Support Switzerland opferhilfe-schweiz.ch
Sustainability in social, economic, and environmental aspects is a frequently discussed topic within the m4music team. We follow industry developments and measures, engage in discussions, and actively address these issues.
Awareness work is a continuous process. We remain committed! Do you have any feedback or suggestions? We are open to your input: awareness@m4music.ch