I’ve heard the phrase used quite a bit, but I’ve never heard a definition of what exactly a “safe space for women” is or means. Any ideas?
Well, I suppose it depends on context, but from a purely psychological point of view, it could be described as a place free from men.
Obviously there should be a qualifier with that denoting only certain men, however, I do know for a lot of women that have been attacked or abused, any man, no matter how innocious, can be quite intimidating and unsettling.
Could you elaborate in your question a bit?
Usually the meaning of the term is that no one’s ideas, opinions, or statements will be challenged or criticized. The theory being that women are constantly oppressed by male phallocratic logical thinking, and that if we truly believed in women’s equality we’d accept and nurture them unconditionally.
That seems quite extreem. Do you mean to say that in this environment a woman could say ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING and get away with it?
A little more down to earth, could this simply refer to a shelter for women victims of domestic violence? I believe we have one locally with a name something like A Safe Place for Women and Children.
When I’ve heard the phrase, I’ve taken it to mean a place where abused women and children can hide from their abusers. It’s a secret place that doesn’t advertise for fear of attracting the abusive people looking for their victims. It is free of men, but for the simple reason alice_in_wonderland said: Even a friendly man can frighten a woman and/or child who has been abused by a man.
Haven’t heard of this. Is it some sort of actual scheme?
Here in Australia, lots of gay bars have “safe place” stickers on the door, which I’ve always taken to mean “You won’t get bashed in here”, or “If someone is trying to get violent on the street because you are gay, get yerself in here ASAP”. We also have a “Safety House” scheme for children who may be lost or being hassled by a predatory stranger on the street. There is a little yellow triangular symbol on the mail box, and the kids can go and seek refuge there. And to get “safety house” status, you have to undergo very rigorous checks. It’s usually stay-at-home mothers who have no police record, have kids of their own, and are likely to be at home most of the time.
I’ve seen it cover policies anywhere from “No one may say anything with even a slight negative connotation about anyone or anything, ever, unless it’s one of the things we’ve officially decided we don’t like” to “No personal insults. Be nice”.
In practice, what it often seems to mean on websites, at least, is that you’re not supposed to go around telling people that their opinions or lifestyle are “wrong”. For example, if someone asks a group on one of these sites, “I’m single and pregnant, and I want an abortion, where can I get one?” you’re not supposed to yell at her for having sex outside of marriage, or tell her that abortions are wrong, because that’s not what she asked about. (Though those topics might well be appropriate in other situations) I believe it’s supposed to encourage people to be honest about their lives and opinions, since they won’t feel they may have to get in a big argument to defend something at any time. Of course, it can be taken to extremes, but in general it seems to be a good policy for helping people discuss very personal things.
“Safe Space” has three different meanings, all based on the same concept.
It’s a place where you can go knowing that you will be safe from abusive behavior.
Women’s shelters are an example – women who are victims of domestic violence can go there and be safe, and receive help from sympathetic volunteers.
Children can flee from abuse by adults, or harassment from other kids, and be secure at a “safe space for kids” program – which will obtain a guardian ad litem and arrange for emergency placement in cases of abuse.
The Loaded Dog noted its use in a gay context – it’s also common with relation to churches that affirm rather than try to convert gay people, businesses who value their gay clientele and arrange for assurance they won’t be harassed, etc.
Another take:
A more broad use of the term can simply mean “free from the unwanted attentions of men.” The “safe space” label was used at a health club I once belonged to, which was for women only. The club was founded by women who had found that coed clubs in the area were largely meat markets or that women at the clubs were made to feel very uncomfortable by the behavior of men who were there while the women were trying to work out.
I had such an experience firsthand at another club. I looked up during the ab workout portion of an all-female aerobics class to see more than a half-dozen men just standing and staring through the windows of the aerobics room, stupid grins on their faces. I watched two women switch equipment or leave an area altogether because a couple of men wouldn’t stop trying to chat them up. After that, I appreciated an atmosphere where I could do crunches without anyone leering at my crotch, sexualizing an activity which was not intended to be viewed in that fashion.