Our Ethical Statement

Note: This is a long and detailed document.
If you’re primarily looking for an overview of the team structure and roles, you can find that here.

These Ethical Statements outline the values, boundaries, and responsibilities that apply to everyone involved in hosting events with Exploring Deeper — including facilitators, assistants, helpers, organisers, volunteers, and venue partners.

They reflect our ongoing commitment to creating safer, inclusive, and respectful spaces where deep exploration can take place.

We encourage everyone interested in our events and activities to read this carefully and revisit it regularly. These guidelines are not just a formality — they are part of how we hold space, care for each other, and stay accountable as a team. They ongoingly develop.

What

These Ethical Guidelines are basic principles of ethical behavior to which we — facilitators, team members, and those directly involved in hosting events under the name of Exploring Deeper (including producers, venue owners, and volunteers) — hereafter called “service providers”, voluntarily commit.

They apply to the work we offer during:

  • Events
  • Play parties
  • Dance events
  • Workshops
  • Retreats
  • Individual sessions

These are hereafter collectively referred to as “sessions.”

Why

We recognise that in any client–service provider relationship, there is an inherent power dynamic, with most of the power resting with the service provider.

To prevent this power from being abused — consciously or unconsciously — we have created this Ethical Statement.

Professional agreements around ethical behaviour and boundaries:

  • Provide transparency to both service provider and client
  • Make it possible to create a culture of mutual consent
  • Ensure accountability for behaviour and enable clear follow-up actions if needed

Safety to explore is central to us. We are accountable for that safety when we invite people into settings that require it, such as workshops and individual session work.

Our Core Values

Confidentiality

  • At the beginning of each session, we remind clients of the confidential nature of the setting, including agreements about the anonymity of other attendees.
  • Anything shared within a session is treated with professional confidentiality.
  • When we encounter clients outside of sessions, we do not disclose:
    • Where we met them
    • Any information about their sexuality, relationship preferences, identity, activities, status, or other potentially sensitive topics

Freedom of Choice in the Workshop/Session Room

  • Participation is always optional. Pushing or coercing someone to participate is avoided under all circumstances.
  • Clients do not have to leave the room if they do not want to participate.
  • Clients can end an interaction or leave a session at any time, without needing to provide a reason. We ask only that they notify a facilitator or team member.
  • Service providers also have the right to interrupt or end a session at any time for the well-being of either party.
  • Exercises are clearly explained in advance, allowing clients to assess whether they want to participate.
  • Clients are encouraged to adapt exercises if needed for physical or other reasons.
  • Clients are never forced to work with a specific person, including through peer pressure.
  • In partner exercises, it is not assumed that the exercise will be repeated in reverse.
  • People in a relationship are welcome to switch partners for exercises, but welcome to stay together for the full session as well.
  • Service providers use inviting, non-imperative language.

Inclusiveness and Diversity

We are aware of systemic inequalities that exist in society, including:

  • Gender (e.g. male/female ratios, transgender and nonbinary experiences)
  • Sexual orientation (e.g. LGBTQIA+, homophobia, biphobia, asexuality)
  • Ethnicity and skin color (including racism)
  • Body acceptance (e.g. bias against certain body types)
  • Age (e.g. youth glorification, desexualisation of seniors)
  • Ability (physical and sensory abilities)
  • Neurodiversity (e.g. social norms and sensory processing)
  • Social class (e.g. education access, mobility, rural/urban divide)

In order to guarantee the security from which exploration is possible, we explicitly strive for a space that is inclusive towards minorities:

  • We respect self-identification and make no assumptions about identity.
  • If a session is exclusive to a group, we clearly state who it’s for, who it’s not for, and why.
  • We avoid generalising or stereotyping identity traits.
  • Exercises are not divided by identity unless there is a clear and practical reason, which is always explained.
  • Our spaces are as accessible as possible to people with disabilities. If this is not the case, we offer the possibility to arrange an alternative if someone asks for it. We also actively make room for helpers (humans or service animals), who obviously do not have to pay extra access.
  • If we overlook something or fall short, we welcome accountability and take feedback seriously.

Sexual and Romantic Connections Between Service Provider and Client

We acknowledge a power difference between service providers and clients. For this reason, we use clear guidelines:

Potential Clients

  • If we have personal connections with someone who wants to become a client, we have an open discussion about:
    • The shift in dynamics
    • Impact on the relationship
    • Agreements going forward

Existing Clients

  • We do not enter into romantic or sexual relationships with clients.
  • Sexuality may be a topic in workshops, but never acted upon outside the professional setting.
  • If attending the same event, we discuss and make agreements in advance.

Ex-Clients

  • We do not pursue romantic/sexual connections within 12 months of ending the professional relationship.
  • If an exception arises, both parties must speak with a team member, and the service provider must consult the team.

Pre-existing Personal Connections

  • If someone we know personally joins a session, this pre-existing relationship may be acknowledged if it affects group dynamics.
  • Romantic/sexual relationships between team members may also be disclosed if relevant to group safety.

When exceptions to these ethical norms are considered, the service provider must seek intervision or supervision.

Being Trauma-Informed

  • We commit to ongoing education about trauma and how to respond to it.
  • We only work with clients whose trauma we believe we can handle safely.
  • We refer out when the trauma exceeds our scope.
  • We guide our team in trauma-informed responses and take ultimate responsibility for client safety.

Team Members

  • We carefully select our team, inform them of expectations, and offer appropriate compensation.
  • Team members are educated in our ethical principles.
  • We encourage a culture of mutual accountability, where anyone can be addressed for their behaviour.

See our specific guidelines for team members here.

Accountability

  • We value clarity, honesty, and transparency.
  • We avoid misinformation, exaggeration, and false claims.
  • We walk our talk and are open to being held accountable when we don’t.

If an incident occurs:

  • We prefer to be addressed personally, in person or by email.
  • To avoid contacting Wilrieke personally, you can contact someone from the accountability pod.
  • We take all reports seriously and will arrange a specific time for follow-up if needed.

Intellectual Property

  • Our exercises and workshops are intellectual property.
  • It is not permitted to copy or facilitate our material as your own.
  • If you are inspired by the material, we encourage professional mentoring with Wilrieke.
  • When in doubt, please ask for permission.

Other Protocols

In addition to our own guidelines, Exploring Deeper / Wilrieke Sophia adheres to:

  • The ethical protocols of the Dutch Foundation for Tantra, Stichting TantraWijzer
  • The ethical protocols from the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists (ASIS)

Last updated: May 2025