safe*R* spaces for creatives

safe spaces? Maybe. maybe not?

we’ve all heard it before. this is a “safe space” said with conviction and determination as though simply giving voice to those words is all that’s needed to ensure everyone’s safety. all the time. forever.

and really, there’s nothing wrong with the urge to create spaces where everyone is as safe as possible to be, or do, as they want.

a safe space is built in any number of different ways. generally, the basis for “safe spaces” include an agreed upon set of boundaries and rules, are trauma and/or harm reduction informed, and consent focused. often times these spaces can be geared to specific groups, many also ensure that members are educated and informed on relevant issues.

and sometimes the phrase “safe spaces” is just thrown around without much work put into ensuring that all involved are aware of what that means. if or when anyone makes a mistake, grace and education can disappear. That’s not a safe space. that’s using language that should provide some amount of security for everyone to exclude those who aren’t part of the in-group.

Which, in case it’s not clear. a major pet-peeve of mine. ugh. so frustrating.

safe spaces aren’t really — real…

the concept, and the goal, is honourable. often necessary. but safe spaces are rarely the reality as much as we may want them to be.

bummer. I know.

But the fact is, it’s virtually impossible to ensure that a space is 100% safe, 100% of the time.

There are a number of reasons why “safe spaces” are a lovely lie we tell ourselves.

they have to do with imbalances of information and education, a lack of clear and agreed upon rules or boundaries, poor conflict management, the very messy nuanced reality of consent, and the one major barrier to any of our best intentions…. the simple fact that humans have yet to master the fine art of mind control.

information and education

not everyone has access to the same information and education.

yes the internet exists, and yes, it’s really up to each individual to keep themselves informed. but frankly, if safety is predicated on each individual knowing exactly the same things as everyone else, then we’re creating barriers to anyone who is new to the space, or has limited access to resources due to any number of reasons like disability or neurodivergence, access to reliable internet, space to get informed without other people or responsibilities getting in the way, etc, etc, etc….

if we’re Not ensuring that we are including the relevant information or education to all members we’re leaving holes where people are likely to make mistakes or even be made to feel bad for entirely reasonable gaps in their information.

rules and boundaries

rules and boundaries are closely related to information and education. a safe space can’t exist if everyone isn’t informed of the do’s and don’t’s. mistakes happen, but most can be avoided if everyone is aware of what is accepted within the space.

providing this info to members isn’t difficult, and should always be a part of building any kind of “safe space”. but this is often overlooked. and often, if the rules and boundaries aren’t clearly expressed, it’s likely that managing those issues will not be handled in ways that ensures that anyone harmed is supported. often those who made the mistake are not educated or called-in, but cancelled or called out.

poor conflict management

when mistakes are made or people lack information/education a safe space should provide time, resources, and space- for people to learn and do better. it’s simply not a safe space if people aren’t able to make mistakes.

and when we punish people for being human instead of providing them with the grace and support every person deserves, we ensure that more people are harmed instead of supported.

managing conflicts or mistakes is complicated and requires those in positions of power to also be informed on how to balance a constructive impact on all involved while ensuring that any potentially serious harm is dealt with appropriately.

If those in power don’t have those skills, then the “safe space” is really only for those who never make mistakes.

can anyone actually claim they’ve never made a mistake?

consent. again.

who decides what consent looks like? who decides what a violation of consent looks like? how do we handle these issues if they arise? how do we clearly share the agreed upon definition of consent to everyone? how do we enforce that definition? what happens if consent is violated? ……. you get the point.

these conversations are required for a safe space. but even more important, these conversations must be ongoing and fluid enough to ensure that all the messy, complicated, nuances of consent are acknowledged and addressed as much as possible.

there’s just one major catch.

mind control isn’t a thing

even when you take into account all of these issues, a for-really-really-real “safe space” is just not for-really-really-real.

It’s an illusion based on the hope that at all times every single person will always fall in line no matter what. It’s a comforting lie, but it’s a lie resting on one major flaw.

humans are unpredictable and entirely autonomous and we can not control every person’s actions every second of the day.

as long as humans have free will and the ability to act on that free will, anything can happen.

“safe spaces” don’t so much support everyone as much as they subversively coerce people into the in-group accepted behaviour. that’s a clique not a space based on mutual support and care.

which, if that’s what you’re looking for, then cool. but that’s not a safe space.

until we are all living in a universe where mind control is a thing, our spaces are never entirely safe.

actually, that’s ok, we’re building safer spaces anyway

what’s the difference?

when building safer spaces we take the time to acknowledge that there are things beyond out control and ensure that there are supports and resources in place to address any potential issues that may arise. this means that everyone is working together to maintain as much safety as possible.

this is just the beginning. safer spaces require so much more, depending on many variables. But when you start with ensuring that boundaries and rules are clearly shared, information and education provided to all, that those in power have the skills to manage conflict in ways that uplift everyone, and that conversations around consent are ongoing, fluid, and embrace the messiness.

safer spaces for creatives

safer spaces for creatives don’t rely on repeating “this is a safe space” but the continuous work to make sure everyone is is supported, heard, and able to do their work free from judgment.

an ic can facilitate safer spaces by taking the time to clarify the goals and difference between safe and safer spaces. Addressing the fact that much of what we do when collaborating on spicy scenes can be uncomfortable, awkward, or even scary, and that consent can still exist even if it’s not 100% enthusiastic.

When performers know that someone is there to ensure their boundaries are protected, that consent is always reversible and there are processes in place for their security, they are free to focus on the work, even if the work is not super comfortable.

creating safer spaces on sets also includes ensuring that everyone involved in the filmmaking process is included. a safer space is about including everyone, and when it comes to making movies and shows, that means cast and crew.

shifting from an arbitrary statement “this is a safe space” to a framework of collaboration and communication focused on joint responsibility makes safety a joint effort.

when everyone is working towards a common goal, the possibilities of success increase greatly.