OCBF Anti-Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Statement

The Orange County Book Fair (“OCBF”) is committed to a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment. Harassment, bullying, discrimination, or aggressive behavior in any form will not be tolerated at or in connection with the OCBF, including digital platforms (e.g., official social media pages and website) associated with the event. Violators will be immediately removed from the book fair and may be banned from future events. The OCBF may take other action including reporting the matter to security or local law enforcement. The OCBF may, in its discretion or if required by law, conduct an investigation and provide involved parties an opportunity to be heard before taking action to enforce this policy. However, OCBF is not required to conduct an investigation or provide an opportunity to be heard before taking appropriate action, including removing individuals from the event or contacting security or law enforcement authorities, when OCBF determines such action is necessary or appropriate to maintain a safe, secure, and orderly environment.

Harassment, bullying, or discrimination, based on the actual or perceived characteristics of any of the following is strictly prohibited:

  • Race, color, ancestry, or national origin.

  • Religion, creed, or spiritual practices.

  • Sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression.

  • Sexual orientation.

  • Physical or mental disability, or medical condition.

  • Age.

  • Marital or veteran status.

  • Any other characteristics protected by law.

Offensive conduct amounting to harassment, bullying and discrimination includes, but is not limited to:

  • Verbal Misconduct: Slurs, epithets, derogatory comments, loud or aggressive shouting, public shaming, or offensive jokes.

  • Physical Misconduct: Unwelcome physical contact, stalking, physically blocking or cornering individuals, deliberate intimidation or aggressive gesturing.

  • Visual/Display Misconduct: Displaying hate speech, visually graphic or sexually explicit imagery, or derogatory symbols targeting protected classes anywhere on event grounds.

  • Workplace & Event Bullying: Malicious, repeated conduct intended to humiliate, intimidate, or sabotage the work performance of staff, volunteers, artists, performers, exhibitors or vendors.

  • Photography/Filming Harassment:  Taking, filming, or showing photography or video that is intended to offend, intimidate, threaten, or coerce.

  • Digital Harassment: Cyberbullying, doxed information, or targeted online harassment related to event participation.

  • Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or visual/verbal conduct of a sexual nature toward anyone on the OCBF footprint.

  • Any Other Conduct Prohibited by Law.

If someone makes you or anyone attending the OCBF feel unsafe or unwelcome at or in connection with an OCBF event and/or digital platform, please report it to the OCBF as soon as possible.  You can submit a complaint of harassment, bullying or discrimination at the bottom of this page. You may also report an incident at the OCBF at the Information Booth located at El Camino Real and W. Main Street, email info@theocbookfair.org, call (949) 436-9645‬, or flag down any OCBF Team Member or Volunteer wearing an OC Book Fair blue apron.

Your report of a complaint will have limited confidentiality and may be reviewed by members of the OCBF Board of Directors (“OCBF Board”), legal counsel representing the OCBF or the OCBF Board, and others assisting the OCBF Board only as necessary to properly review and investigate the report.  If you prefer, you may file a complaint anonymously. The complaint form will request information about the incident. 

OCBF Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Complaint Form

Please click here to file your complaint.

Anti-Retaliation: Retaliation against anyone who reports harassment or participates in an investigation is strictly forbidden. 

External Reporting: If you feel your civil rights under California law have been violated during the OCBF, you retain the right to file an external complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) at calcivilrights.ca.gov.