Safer Spaces Policy

Safer Spaces for F.L.A.R.E in the void……   

WE want to create a space together. A space that is safe. A space that is respectful of each of our stories, our experiences, our pains and fears. We want to open a space to explore our privileges, and within our relationships and interactions, live towards a world free of oppression, assault, marginalisation and inequality.  This is a survivor-centric space.

We want to acknowledge the varied journeys that have bought people here today. We need to accept that no space can be totally safe for all peoples. However, we need to believe that through self-organizing, self awareness, and willingness to challenge our own behaviour, we can create a space that is SAFER…..

We should be asking ourselves about our privileges while we are creating this radical space.  How they might be affecting people around you…. Are you speaking too much?  Are you a white middle class man dominating discussion? A man standing over a womyn? A highly educated womyn speaking too much? We ask that you look around and wonder who is not being heard? It is up to  you to make an effort to open up a space for others to speak.

We are here to create and build together new strengths in our networks. For these networks to grow in the right way, we need to challenge each other, in the way that we engage with one another. To look at the way we have grown up and participated in capitalism and patriarchy. We want to challenge the capitalist, the rapist, the racist, the misogynist, the homophobe, and relearn our desires and dreams for what we really want. We want to do this together.

We are here to celebrate all  sexualities (queer, lesbian, gay, hetero,bi, asexual, questioning etc).

We are here to celebrate the spectrum of gender identity (male identified, female identified, trans, intersex, ftm, mtf, genderqueer etc)

Don’t assume someone’s gender identity, and if you’re not sure, ask! be aware of how much notions of binary gender are embedded in our language. Try replacing ‘him’ or ‘her’ with ‘they’ “

We are here to share spaces and recognise all our abilities and dif-abilities, and work out how to live together.

We are here to create a space for those who haven’t been heard, who have been absent, who have been forgotten, a space where differences of communication (language/articulation) are not judged.

We are here to explore how we can ensure our many ideas for change and new ways of being, are embedded within a framework of respect for the culture, stories and needs of the Indigenous peoples of this land. How can we create a self organizing society that coexists with  an acknowledgement of  Indigenous sovereignty?

5 points of what Safer Spaces is all about…..

*  Respecting people’s physical, mental and emotional boundries

*    Always getting explicit verbal consent before touching or crossing someones boundries

*       Respecting all people’s  opinions, beliefs, differing states of being (mental/physical & other), and differing points of view

*       Being responsible  for your own actions and the effects they have on others

*       Taking responsibility for your own safety and get help if you need it

Grievance Committee

*****If you are not ok and something has happened. You can call the F i t v phone or go to the info desk and find out who to speak to.

F.L.A.R.E in the void will have a grievance committee. This will be a group of people from all different places/communities/experiences.*****

We are calling for people to create a grievance committee at F i t v. We are asking that a person from each affinity/travelling/friendship group has someone who comes to a meeting to talk about possible strategies of support. We encourage people who haven’t been involved in safer spaces organizing before.

The GC role will be there to support and mediate the possible issues of sexual/racist/trans/homophobic assault issues that may come up during F.L.A.R.E in the void. We want the grievance committee to be accessible.

Things at F i t v that we will try and provide to make this space/convergence week safer-funner!!!!!!

F.L.A.R.E in the void is a dry space. No drug use and no alcohol consumption. We want people to be clear on their decisions and to hear decisions clearly. This will be a busy week and people will need their sleep if they decide to have it. We know that people will want to get wasted. Please have respect when coming into the space drunk . There are heaps of other places to party. We’ll see you there!

Safe[r] accommodation…….

We recognise that many unwanted/non-consensual sexual encounters occur when people don’t have a place to stay and/or end up sharing sleeping space with someone out of necessity/desperation/blurred judgement. We understand that when people are in a precarious or vulnerable situation where they don’t have a place to stay, it is easy to take whatever accommodation/shared bed is offered.

Therefore, we would like to offer safe(r) accommodation to anyone who needs it during F.L.A.R.E in the void. During the convergence, please speak to someone at the info-table (at the entrance to the space) for assistance with this. There is a phone that you can call whenever.

DIY childcare…..

so that parents can have fun and get amongst the action. We want to set up a childcare that is not parents-only run. There will be a roster and people are encouraged to help out.

Accesibility of convergence space and sleeping spaces.

There will be measurements of doorways, number of stairs and info about dif-ability toilets put on flareinthevoid.webpress.com and printed on a separate info sheet that will be available just before the convergence.

We apologise that this information is not available in the reader!!!

Police Policy….

An important part of making the space safe (both practically and emotionally) is keeping the cops out, so I think it’s worth adding a NPP-No Police (pigs) Policy.

We will not let police in the space.

Do not answer the door if the cops arrive. Tell people and we should have a meeting asap!! If the pigs turn up with a warrant, we will need to read the warrant, to check if all the information is correct.

We can call Dale Mills on 0422 644 363 for legal advice.

On undercovers & security

We want to create an open and inclusive space. We need to assume that there will be undercover cops at this convergence, but no one should be called as being a cop based on their appearance or dress.

We should think about ways of creating a general culture of security so we don’t have to fear undercover cops.

Suggestions:
- don’t give out anyone’s name / contact details without checking with them first.  Point people towards publicly available contacts, or take and pass on a message.
- keep contact lists secure
- don’t talk about individuals’ involvement in particular actions or plans
- don’t ask or talk about someone else’s, or your own, participation in any action that was/is illegal
- talk to people on a need to know bases.
No photos to be taken at flare except in workshops with the explicit permission of everyone there. We should learn from g20 and the thug hunt….