An Invitation to make Black Rose a Safer Space

NewQ, Black Rose and Little Fish
(22 Enmore Road)

This is a draft policy because we recognise that it will be in flux for some time. Draft status does not imply that we don't intend to honour it. It just means that we are going to revise if possible.

A SAFER SPACE

We hope that everyone at 22 Enmore Road ("22") is made aware of the idea of "Safer Spaces". We say "safer" realizing that no space can be entirely safe for everyone. Although there is often discourse on `equality' we realize that not everyone experiences spaces in the same way as others.

Safer spaces are welcoming, engaging and supportive. We want "22" to be a space where people can take care of one another. We want people to feel that they can let their hair down (or cut it all off) and be themselves, knowing that they will be supported. We are asking people to be proactive in creating a safer space at 22.

People at the 22 space are asked to be aware of their language and behaviour, and to think whether it might be offensive to others. This is no space for non-consensual violence, for touching people without their consent, for being intolerant of someone's religious beliefs or lack thereof, for being racist, ageist, sexist or any other behaviour or language that may perpetuate oppression.

What we need to do to create a safer space at 22:

• Respect people's physical and emotional boundaries;
• Always get explicit verbal consent before touching someone or crossing personal boundaries;
• Respect peoples opinions, beliefs, differing states of being and different points of view;
• Be responsible for your own actions. Be aware that your actions do have an effect on others;
• Take responsibility for your own safety and get help if you need it;
• Look out for kids at all times and try not leave anything around that would endanger kids;
• The space is non-smoking.
• Alcohol consumption is permitted on a limited basis. Ask a member of one of the collectives if it would be OK before drinking;
• Be aware that illegal activities and illegal drugs can bring our spaces under suspicion and make them less safe;
• Be aware that people have different perspectives based on their experiences and personalities, but also based on their mental state, stress, level of intoxication etc. Be aware of physical cues that you are dealing with somoene who is drunk, or mentally fragile. Act accordingly.

Any group or individual engaging in non-consensual violence (including sexual violence and harrassment) will be asked to leave 22.

The space at 22 aims to be survivor centric and survivor oriented. When a decision needs to be made to give "benefit of the doubt" to a perpertrator or support to a survivor, the preference will be to support the survivor.

EXAMINING OUR OWN SUBTLE AND NOT-SO-SUBTLE PREJUDICES

If we profess to be concerned about issues of race, gender and sexuality, etc, we need to live our lives in a way that actively seeks to subvert prejudice, to undermine the very possiblity that someone will feel discriminated against. This means treating people equally and expecting that everyone has something amazing to contribute. It means not being tokenistic. It means not being awkard around people because you don't know what to say because of some perceived difference. 22 aims to explore/acknowledge the subtle (and not so subtle) forms of prejudice within the space and tackle them head on.

We may like to think of 22 as an `alternative' space where people reject the prejudices of `mainstream' Australian values. However activist communities often carry the same prejudices as the so-called mainstream and we all need to address this. We are part of the broader society. Our goals should include engaging with others outside of a "radical clique" and relating to all sorts of people in honest, radical, and non-discriminatory ways.

NEED SOME ASSISTANCE?

If you experience or witness any behaviour that crosses your boundaries or makes you feel uncomfortable or if you feel like you would like to talk to someone, please contact the Thunder Collective.

About Thunder

We're a collective meeting and discussing community response to sexual assault. It's a broad topic. It's a hard topic. It's one that we're passionate about. Part of what we're doing is amassing resources for support, whether it be from the collective or its members, from books and zines, discussion groups and skill shares, to referrals, or "gee, let's look for info on that". When we way support, we meant for anyone who feels like they can use some. We have a sticker campaign if anyone is inclined. It's an open collective and anyone is welcome to join. We strive to be transparent in all things we do.