When I was at RubyConf Colombia, I listened to a presenter stating that she will never again speak at or attend a conference that doesn&#x27;t have an acceptable code of conduct. The reason she gave is that without a strongly-worded statement, the needs of vulnerable inevitably get trampled on, <i>by that very antagonism the idea dredges up</i>.<p>When there&#x27;s not a code of conduct and available avenues for reporting harassment and, more importantly, for others to recognize when someone is getting harassed and come to their assistance, then when there is a legitimate instance, the person getting harassed always ends up getting harassed <i>more</i>, by the very people they&#x27;re trying to go to to resolve the situation. A code of conduct makes everything clear.<p>Just the very suggestion that harassment could occur causes some people to really get their hackles up, as if you just accused <i>them</i> of harassment. I think that&#x27;s the ultimate reason people have strong reactions to insistence on the need to have a policy. &quot;Why would we need a policy, I would never harass anybody!&quot; That sentiment itself, expressed to someone with legitimate needs, is perceived as harassment.