From conversations with the women, I understood that they each had had multiple experiences of being told they were stupid, worthless, and unworthy. Their physical, mental, and emotional selves had been violated and humiliated by many people in their lives. So why were they willing to trust me and each other?

During a writing session, one woman began to berate herself for surrendering her children to Social Services. She described herself as a "junkie whore" as she talked about the devastating pain of being away from her sons. Another woman gently responded, "I know just what you mean. I wasn't able to be with my kids for a long time, either." After these women had told their stories, the other two women in the group shared their experiences. They trusted that those deep dark secrets were safe with each other. I saw the development of trust as one of the signs that the women felt safe. I began to take a closer look for the elements that got us to a place where we each felt safe to allow our weaknesses to show and risk trying new things. I wondered, "How did we get here from there?" This became the focus for my research.

Collecting Data

Laurie and I met after each session we co-facilitated to write about and share our observations, insights, and questions. We would discuss the group interaction, the writing, and our own experiences. I found that this was an effective way to learn more about aspects of the session and how we could improve our facilitation skills. During the writing group sessions, we each focused more on observing the group while the other was leading an activity. Laurie and I would sometimes see different things or expand on each others' ideas.

During the post-session meetings, Laurie and I also planned for the next week and developed an outline for all our sessions together. We each suggested different writing ideas and decided who would lead each part of the session. Responsibilities for shopping and setting up were divided.

I continued to keep a journal after Laurie moved. The women also shared samples of their writing with me, and I kept my own writing from each session.

Analysis

I began the process of analysing data when the writing group ended. I typed and made multiple copies of my journal notes and the writing the women had given me. I looked for statements and events that continued to catch my attention. I then sorted these into themes related to my focus of "safety." I also grouped quotes from the women and things I learned about myself. These themes helped to focus my thinking as I wrote and rewrote my paper. Eventually I saw how a number of factors had contributed to creating a safe space for the writing group. These included creating a welcoming space, encouraging a sense of ownership, valuing the writing and ourselves, familiar routines, flexibility within routines, sharing control, freedom to choose, freedom to care for self, creating safety through writing, and respect and compassion.