What We Learned about Creating Safety

I think the first important lesson was that sharing power and control promotes safety. Every writer in our group was empowered to say "yes," "no," or "not now" as was most comfortable for them. Also, we honoured and supported each woman's voice. We all had powerful and important stories, thoughts, and feelings to write and share, and others who wanted to hear them. Being "OK" wasn't a prerequisite to coming to class. It was a 'Come as You Are Party' because we were free to be who and what we were, especially if it wasn't pretty or happy. We brought our whole selves to our learning by trying different activities because we don't all learn the same way, and because experiences of violence can separate a person's mind from their body, emotions and spirit. The writing itself helped to create safety as we wove community and connection from all the common threads that we shared.

Creating a Welcoming Space

There were practical, day-to-day elements of running the group that were meant to create a sense of security. One of these was the physical space. After meeting a few times at another community agency, we decided to meet at the Read and Write program. The program space is on the second floor of a building on the main street and includes a large classroom, library, computer lab, rooms for students and tutors, a coffee room and offices for the literacy coordinator and Community Adult Learning Council coordinator.

The writing group met in the large classroom space around a table with comfortable chairs. I did not want the group to be distracted by new surroundings or outside people, so we kept the classroom door open while we were alone in the building and shut it for privacy when others were around.