SAFER SPACES Policy

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Our values

A safer space is a shared responsibility. Through mutual respect, care, and creativity, we can ensure that St Giles’ Cathedral remains a vibrant, inclusive space where all voices are heard and valued. The Church of Scotland has a deep concern for the wholeness and wellbeing of each individual and seeks to safeguard the welfare of all individuals who come into contact with the Church, its services, and its spaces. Underpinning all that we do at St Giles’ Cathedral are the principles which the Church strives to uphold:

  • Grace: Acting with humility in all our endeavours

  • Integrity: Acting with honesty, responsibility and accountability

  • Respect: Valuing others, ensuring inclusiveness and equality

  • Professionalism: Demonstrating commitment and striving for excellence

  • Collaboration: Working together to connect and communicate in an open and transparent environment

  • Innovation: Thinking creatively about building for the future and embracing change

What is a safer spaces policy?

St Giles’ Cathedral operates under a Safer Spaces Policy which covers all of St Giles’ Cathedral’s spaces and events. The aim of this policy is to create an environment in which all of our community, staff, volunteers, and visitors feel welcome, respected, and able to fully participate in our worship, visiting, and events. It sets out our collective commitment to the principles of liberation, equality, diversity, and inclusion which we place at the heart of everything we do. It is also important to note that this policy exists within a legal framework that includes the Equality Act (2010) and Hate Crime legislation.

We are committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming, inclusive and respectful environment for everyone – our congregation, concerts audiences, performers, staff, volunteers, and visitors alike. A safer spaces policy tells stakeholders what our expectations are, outlining the shared responsibility to foster a space that is supportive and free from discrimination, harassment or harm. It includes policies on language, behaviour and use of the building and lays out what our process will be if these policies are breached. It also tells stakeholders how they can alert us to issues they have identified or ways their needs have not been met.

Why develop this policy?

Developing this policy is part of our aim to be welcoming and inclusive to all visitors, performers and members of our community, whilst protecting those that use the space from discrimination, hate speech, and any other forms of verbal or physical abuse.

Who is this policy for?

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, visitors, concert audiences, worshippers, performers, and visiting companies. It is included as part of our staff training manuals, event contracts, and in our terms and conditions for ticket purchase.

Code of Conduct

To foster a welcoming and inclusive environment we must all behave with respect and courtesy to others. This means:

  • Creating an environment free from any kind of harassment, bullying or discrimination. This includes physically or sexually harassing another person, making derogatory remarks, or discriminating against someone due to their race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, background or other characteristics.

  • Being understanding of diverse needs and boundaries. Something that doesn’t affect one person may have a significant impact on someone else and vice versa.

  • Respecting the space. This means being careful with bags and equipment, behaving courteously towards staff, consuming food and drink responsibly, and being aware of other visitors, keeping volume and disruption to a minimum.

  • Not engaging in inflammatory or aggressive behaviour. For example, using profanity or raised voices towards staff or other visitors.

  • Avoiding making assumptions about others. From their gender identity to their access needs, there’s no way to know what someone’s situation is just by looking at them.

  • Reporting or raising concerns if you are subject to or witness a breach of this Code of Conduct. We will always try to be aware of what is going on in St Giles’, but we cannot be everywhere at once. Find details below of how you can report issues or raise concerns.

Zero Tolerance

To ensure this environment is maintained we operate a Zero Tolerance policy to the following behaviours towards visitors, staff, and volunteers, as well as anyone worshipping or attending our events. The following behaviours are not tolerated in any form:

  • Harassment (verbal, physical, or visual).

  • Hate speech or prejudice as prohibited by the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021

  • Unwanted physical contact or advances.

  • Intimidation, bullying, or sustained disruption.

  • Filming or taking pictures of members of staff or members of the public without their explicit permission.

Sexual Harassment

We operate on a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment. This means no unwanted touching, including hugs, so please make sure you have consent before engaging in any physical contact with someone. This can also mean inappropriate invasion of personal space. This also means no wolf whistling or catcalling, and no inappropriate sexual comments or sexually based jokes, songs or taunts.

Photography and Videography Policy

  • Filming or taking pictures of members of staff or members of the public without their explicit permission is not permitted.

  • Visitors should not take pictures or videos during worship services. This is for safeguarding and licensing reasons.

  • Visitors should not take pictures during recitals or concerts, unless they have received explicit permission to do so from the performers or concert organiser.

  • St Giles’ Cathedral strongly discourages visitors from wearing Meta Glasses, even if they are not filming with them during their visit. This is for safeguarding purposes and does not affect your statutory rights.

Social Media

Everything in this Safer Spaces Policy extends to social media, including Instagram and Facebook, so we ask that visitors keep this in mind when engaging with the Cathedral and Cathedral staff on social media.

Prohibited Items

For the safety and comfort of our visitors, staff and volunteers, and to protect the historic church building, collections and furnishings, certain items may not be brought into St Giles' Cathedral. These include weapons, illegal drugs, hazardous or flammable substances, open flames, large luggage, bicycles and other bulky wheeled equipment, and any item that may cause damage, obstruction or disturbance. Drinks may not be brought into St Giles' Cathedral. Exceptions apply for accessibility equipment or items specifically authorised by St Giles' Cathedral. Please contact us in advance if you are unsure whether an item can be brought into St Giles' Cathedral. St Giles’ Cathedral reserves the right to conduct a bag search upon entry.

What we will do

We recognise that building a safer space is an ongoing process. We commit to:

  • Leading by example in always upholding this policy.

  • Communicating this policy to all visitors, worshippers, concert attendees, partner organisations, and anyone else in St Giles’ Cathedral.

  • Training staff and volunteers adequately.

  • Reviewing this policy regularly in collaboration with community feedback.

  • Continuing dialogue with stakeholders to ensure the space evolves with their needs.

  • Taking action if required, as laid out below.

Appropriate action

Should this policy be breached, we will take appropriate action. These actions could be:

  • Issue of a verbal or written warning.

  • Removal from St Giles’ Cathedral during a visit, event, or concert.

  • Permanent refusal of entry to St Giles’ Cathedral.

  • Termination of professional relationship, for example not booking that performer or facilitator in the future.

  • Support for the complainant, for example signposting to support services or arranging transport home.

  • Report to Police Scotland

  • Immediate termination of the venue hire or performance contract.

How you can get in touch

If you have experienced or witnessed behaviour that breaches the Code of Conduct, compromises the policy or that concerns you in any other way, please get in touch with us. We would also welcome feedback on the policy itself.

While in St Giles’ Cathedral you can alert a Visitor Engagement Assistant or if you would prefer you can contact our safeguarding officer:

Last updated 1-10-26