Explore your personal space, where, when and how you feel safe.
Creation
The Space and its Environment
A safe space can be constructed by ensuring that the space and its environment are not only inclusive in nature but also reiterate respect, comfort, validation, privacy and freedom from judgements. Below are some key points to consider for establishing the same:
1) Set Clear Guidelines: It is vital to clearly define and communicate the purpose and guidelines of the safe space. Establishing expectations for respectful communication, empathy, confidentiality, and practicing zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, or hate speech, are a few of the tentpoles towards a safe and sturdy space creation.
2) Foster Open Communication: An environment where individuals fail to communicate openly, honestly and freely can’t be termed as a safe space. The atmosphere cannot be called “safe” unless it lets individuals speak their mind without fear of judgement or criticism or retaliation holding them back. Alongside being empathetic, it must provide with wholesome healing by making them feel understood and valued. Active listening is a crucial aspect in a safe space as it ensures that individuals feel heard.
3) Educate and promote awareness: Educating individuals on the significance of inclusivity and diversity is essential in taking care of their behaviour towards all. Counselling, training sessions and workshops challenging biases can be organised highlighting the importance of acceptance and tolerance in today’s world. Individuals holding grudge or prejudice against a group of people undermines the very essence of safe spaces.
4) Establish Clear Moderation and enforcement policies: To ensure a sustained, trusted safe space, clear moderation policies uphold the guidelines and address inappropriate behaviour promptly. To execute such, fair, aware and impartial moderators or administrators must be aligned. This helps keep the atmosphere secure and calm, and holds mental and emotional wellbeing of all aligned, paramount.
5) Encourage Diversity and Representation: Presence of individuals from varying backgrounds, perspectives and experiences fosters diversity and inclusivity which in turn promotes a sense of acceptance towards other beings. A diverse group broadens the perspectives of individuals thus resulting in enriched discussions and a broader understanding of various issues.
6) Create Supportive Resources: A safe space should not only be able to provide access to the required mental and emotional support an individual seeks but also offer a plethora of resources like helpline numbers, mental health services, counselling sessions, support networks etc. to help cope up with any and all kinds of disturbance and stress.
7) Regularly Evaluate and Improve: Running a safe space without inculcating the given feedback from the participants may turn it obsolete. The more aware, current and inclusive a safe space is, the better it serves the aim of support and healing. Thus, not only regular feedback must be taken but the necessary adjustments be made to achieve the goals of wellbeing and safety it strives for.
8) Lead by Example: The facilitator or organiser must cultivate respect for all aligned, impart knowledge about active listening, empathy and acceptance to make people feel safe, valued and comfortable in the space. Respectful behaviour, open communication, transparent sharing, respecting privacy are a few of the traits of a good leader organising safe spaces.
Consistency, co-operation and commitment are vital to adapt to the evolving needs of the participants and be receptive to feedback to ensure the environment remains supportive and inclusive. A safe space must adapt to the evolving needs of the individuals so they feel at peace and supported from within, and without.
