Wednesday 16-09-2020 - 14:50

Jesse’s (LGBTQ+ Officer) Safe Space Policy will provide an essential framework for the students’ union to ensure it is providing a safe space for all  

The first of its kind at the students' union, the Safe Space Policy will help ensure the union is “a place or environment in which a person or category of people can feel confident that they will not be exposed to discrimination, criticism, harassment, or any other emotional or physical harm”.

A safe space sets out regulations for consensual conversation, to ensure oppressed voices are heard and conversations are constructive. The Safe Space Policy produced by LBGTQ+ Officer, Jesse, includes clear guidelines to help foster this environment, in addition to an in-depth report and implementation process. 

A policy such as this is essential. In a recent survey, 30% of Black and minority ethnic Lancaster students surveyed felt that there are not enough safe spaces to speak about race within Lancaster University (according to the findings of the paper recently published by the Why is my Curriculum White Campaign). This is one small step to tackling that.

Jesse (LGBTQ+ Officer) said: “When I stood for election, I promised to ensure the Students’ Union becomes a safe space for the students who need it. Yesterday, I proposed a policy to the Students’ Union Exec (elected officers and student representatives) to keep this promise.

The Students' Union Exec voted unanimously to approve a safe space policy for the Students' Union, covering the Students' Union offices in Bowland College.

It makes our Students’ Union an environment where members of oppressed groups can discuss their experiences without oppression, with the aim of returning to public spaces equipped to battle that oppression.”

 

Our policy will be available at lancastersu.co.uk/policy 🡵, and in the Students' Union upon request.