Signal for Help
Emergency Tool — Canadian Women's Foundation
Emergency Signal
Signal for Help
If you see this gesture, step in.
If you feel in danger, do it!
If you feel in danger, do it!
If you see this gesture:
- 1. Approach the person calmly, without drawing attention
- 2. Move them away from the situation discreetly
- 3. Listen and validate — don't judge, don't minimize
- 4. Report to security or an event official
- ! Never confront the aggressor directly
Created by the Canadian Women's Foundation, adapted for nightlife by S.O.U.L. Montréal.
S.O.U.L. Montréal
Spirit Of Underground Living
Underground Ethics
Printable Sheets — The 10 Underground Mantras
The Base — The PillarsMantras 01–04
Mantra 01 · The Base
Take Care
of Yourself
of Yourself
"Your vibe shapes the night."
Stay hydrated
Know your limits
Take a break if needed
Stay lucid and present
Better nights, lived together.
That's how
we do it here.
we do it here.
How
Drink water, rest, breathe. Listen to your body — not just your desire to party.
Why
Your energy shapes the collective atmosphere. When you're good, the night is good for everyone.
When
All night long — before arriving, on the dancefloor, and when leaving.
⚖ Legal Framework
Organizers have a legal duty of safety toward participants (Civil Code of Québec, art. 1457). Each participant is responsible for their own actions.
S.O.U.L. Montréal
Spirit Of Underground Living
soulmontreal.com/en/
mantra-01-take-care-of-yourself
mantra-01-take-care-of-yourself
Mantra 02 · The Base
Without Consent,
It's No
It's No
"Consent is the foundation of everything."
Ask before any contact
Immediately respect a refusal
No grey areas
Intervene if you witness it
Better nights, lived together.
That's how
we do it here.
we do it here.
How
Ask before initiating physical contact. Read verbal and non-verbal signals. Never insist, negotiate, or guilt-trip after a no.
Why
Consent is the pillar of every healthy interaction. Without it, freedom becomes threat and proximity becomes intrusion.
When
At every approach, every contact, every interaction — always, without exception.
⚖ Legal Framework
Sexual assault is a criminal offence (Criminal Code of Canada, s. 271). Any non-consensual contact may constitute assault (s. 265). Absence of resistance is not consent.
S.O.U.L. Montréal
Spirit Of Underground Living
soulmontreal.com/en/
mantra-02-without-consent
mantra-02-without-consent
Mantra 03 · The Base
Be Kind,
Bring the Light
Bring the Light
"Kindness isn't weakness — it's a conscious choice."
Arrive with an open intention
Speak with respect
Welcome differences
Shine without overwhelming
Better nights, lived together.
That's how
we do it here.
we do it here.
How
Arrive with positive energy, offer a kind gaze, choose to be a source of light rather than disruption.
Why
The vibe is the sum of what each person brings. You have the power to transform the room's atmosphere — in either direction.
When
From the moment you arrive — and at every interaction throughout the night.
⚖ Legal Framework
The Québec Charter of Rights and Freedoms (s. 4, 10) protects dignity and prohibits harassment. Harassing behavior engages civil liability (Civil Code of Québec, art. 1457).
S.O.U.L. Montréal
Spirit Of Underground Living
soulmontreal.com/en/
mantra-03-be-kind-bring-light
mantra-03-be-kind-bring-light
Mantra 04 · The Base
Respect
the Bubble
the Bubble
"Let everyone live their moment."
Establish clear contact before anything
Accept a no without insisting
Avoid intrusions and pressure
Honor the diversity of sensitivities
Better nights, lived together.
That's how
we do it here.
we do it here.
How
Establish verbal or visual contact before initiating any physical interaction. Avoid surprises, pressure, and intrusion.
Why
When the bubble is respected, trust opens up. When it's violated, vigilance replaces joy.
When
At every new interaction — especially on the dancefloor where personal space is reduced.
⚖ Legal Framework
Criminal harassment (Criminal Code, s. 264) includes any repeated behaviour causing fear for one's safety. Violation of personal space may constitute assault (s. 265).
S.O.U.L. Montréal
Spirit Of Underground Living
soulmontreal.com/en/
mantra-04-respect-the-bubble
mantra-04-respect-the-bubble
The Standard — What We Live TogetherMantras 05–08
Mantra 05 · The Standard
Music
First
First
"That's why you're here."
Truly listen to the music
Avoid excessive conversation on the floor
Let the rhythm guide you
Respect the peaks and silences
Better nights, lived together.
That's how
we do it here.
we do it here.
How
Really listen — don't just use the music as background noise. Let the rhythm carry you rather than trying to control it.
Why
When music is at the center, the crowd becomes a coherent organism. The magic happens.
When
On the dancefloor — especially during builds, silences, and the peak moments of the set.
⚖ Legal Framework
Organizers are required to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all participants (Civil Code of Québec, art. 1457). Deliberate disruption may create liability.
S.O.U.L. Montréal
Spirit Of Underground Living
soulmontreal.com/en/
mantra-05-music-first
mantra-05-music-first
Mantra 06 · The Standard
No
Phones
Phones
"It kills the vibe."
Put your screen away on the floor
No flash, no video
Prioritize presence
Protect others' privacy
Better nights, lived together.
That's how
we do it here.
we do it here.
How
Keep your phone in your pocket on the dancefloor. Accept that some moments only exist in collective memory.
Why
When screens disappear, attention gathers. When attention gathers, the magic happens.
When
On the floor and in collective connection spaces. Never film others without their explicit consent.
⚖ Legal Framework
Filming or photographing without consent in an intimate setting constitutes voyeurism (Criminal Code, s. 162). The Québec Charter (s. 5) guarantees the right to privacy.
S.O.U.L. Montréal
Spirit Of Underground Living
soulmontreal.com/en/
mantra-06-no-phones
mantra-06-no-phones
Mantra 07 · The Standard
Keep It Safe,
Clean, No Trace
Clean, No Trace
"Trust creates the magic."
Respect equipment and spaces
Return lost items
Pick up your waste
Act with honesty
Better nights, lived together.
That's how
we do it here.
we do it here.
How
Treat the space like your own — with care. Report what's broken. Leave the place as you found it.
Why
A respected space stays open to the community. A neglected space eventually disappears.
When
All night long — and especially when leaving.
⚖ Legal Framework
Property damage is a criminal offence (Criminal Code, s. 430). Organizers are responsible for damages caused in their space (Civil Code of Québec, art. 1457).
S.O.U.L. Montréal
Spirit Of Underground Living
soulmontreal.com/en/
mantra-07-safe-and-clean
mantra-07-safe-and-clean
Mantra 08 · The Standard
We Are
ONE
ONE
"When we dance, music unites us."
Welcome diversity
No hierarchy on the floor
Refuse divisive behavior
Contribute to inclusion
Better nights, lived together.
That's how
we do it here.
we do it here.
How
Dance for yourself while staying aware of others. Welcome the diversity of bodies, styles, and energies.
Why
The dancefloor is one of the rare spaces where barriers fall. When this unity breaks, the magic disappears.
When
At every moment of connection — on the floor, backstage, at the entrance, at the exit.
⚖ Legal Framework
The Québec Charter (s. 10, 12) prohibits discrimination based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
S.O.U.L. Montréal
Spirit Of Underground Living
soulmontreal.com/en/
mantra-08-we-are-one
mantra-08-we-are-one
The Excellence — The Underground We DeserveMantras 09–10
Mantra 09 · The Excellence
Respect
the Tribe
the Tribe
"We create this together."
Acknowledge the invisible work
Avoid the entitled consumer attitude
Express your gratitude
Contribute positively to the atmosphere
Better nights, lived together.
That's how
we do it here.
we do it here.
How
Recognize that behind every event, there are hours of invisible work. Thank, contribute, participate.
Why
Without an acknowledged and respected tribe, there is no scene. Without respect, there is no future.
When
Toward organizers, security staff, artists, and everyone who makes the night possible.
⚖ Legal Framework
Harassment in a collective context creates legal liability. Everyone has the right to an environment free of hostile behavior (Québec Charter of Rights and Freedoms, s. 10).
S.O.U.L. Montréal
Spirit Of Underground Living
soulmontreal.com/en/
mantra-09-respect-the-tribe
mantra-09-respect-the-tribe
Mantra 10 · The Excellence
Watch Over
Others
Others
"That's what a real community is."
Observe and stay attentive
Offer help with respect
Report problematic situations
Use the Signal for Help
Better nights, lived together.
That's how
we do it here.
we do it here.
How
Keep an eye on the people around you. Offer help with respect, without imposing. Report concerns to the security team.
Why
Collective protection creates a real sense of safety. Seeing, supporting, reporting — that's participating in the health of the space.
When
As soon as you see someone in difficulty, isolated, or in an uncomfortable situation.
⚖ Legal Framework
Failure to render assistance may constitute an offence (Criminal Code, s. 217.1). The Québec Charter (s. 2) imposes a duty to assist any person in danger.
S.O.U.L. Montréal
Spirit Of Underground Living
soulmontreal.com/en/
mantra-10-watch-over-others
mantra-10-watch-over-others