Instatement manual for SUPRA council

7. Safer spaces

What is a safer space?

Safer spaces are spaces that are welcoming, engaging and supportive. They are intended to be spaces where people support each other and can feel free to be themselves; where abuse and discrimination are not tolerated.

SUPRA acknowledges that discrimination is a pervasive problem that is experienced every day by many people through structural oppression, abuse, exclusion and violence.

SUPRA is committed to ensuring our spaces and events are free of harassment, discrimination, vilification, bullying and victimisation; and that they are accessible and supportive.

Safer spaces are always evolving. We should always be trying to be better, and never assume that we have completed the process of creating a ‘safe space’.

Everyone is responsible for creating a safer space

Everyone in a SUPRA space* (including staff, councillors, clients, and visitors) has the responsibility to:

• be mindful of their communication with others (both verbal, physical and online)
• be mindful of their interactions, conduct and practices around others
• get consent from others before physically touching them
• leave a space when asked to do so because of unsafe behaviour
• show respect to others
• abide by the University’s policies regarding drinking where alcohol is served at SUPRA events.

*A SUPRA space means the SUPRA offices and any space which is used for SUPRA-related activities, communications, meetings or events. This can be a physical space or a digital space.

Breaches of the Safer Spaces Policy

If you witness something that you think breaches SUPRA’s Safer Spaces Policy and ethos, then you may need to speak up.

If you can, you should tell the person who is breaching the Safer Spaces Policy to stop. For example, if a person starts using racist language you could say something like ‘Hey, could you stop using that sort of language?’. If you want to talk about it with them in more detail, you can explain to them the problem and let them know about the Safer Spaces Policy. You don’t have to explain more than you feel comfortable with, they should respect your request without needing excessive explanation.

If they continue to use offensive language and you feel safe to do so, you should ask them to leave.

If you do not feel comfortable raising the issue at the time it is happening, then you should try to keep the interaction as short as possible.

After a concerning interaction or event

When the moment has passed you should write down some notes about what has happened and check in with other people who may have witnessed the person’s behaviour. It is important to write your notes as soon as possible after the incident.

If you think someone is upset by what has occurred, you should prioritise checking in with them. Ask them if there is anything you can do to help them feel safe.

If you think this issue is serious or needs further attention you can contact the President, or follow processes in SUPRA policies which may include our Safer Spaces policy, the Code of Conduct, and Grievance Procedures. If you are unsure, you can ask another councillor or get advice from a coordinator on staff. You will be met with professionalism and understanding.

Write notes about what happened

It is always worth writing notes after an incident, especially if it is a serious incident. You may find that the same person continues with similar behaviour, or that it escalates and further action needs to be taken.

Here are some basic rules for writing notes:

• Write the date and time of the incident.
• Write the date and time that you wrote the notes.
• Include the names of as many people who were there as you can.
• Include any quotes or details that you can remember.
• You can also add details about how other people responded, including what they said or their visible reactions.
• When you have finished your notes, email them to yourself so that they are time stamped.
• If they are handwritten, take a photo of your notes and email them to yourself.

Content note – racism and fatphobia. The example below contains fictional offensive statements as an example of unsafe behaviour.

Example notes:

‘In conversation with Jo, Xia, Ahmed and Prince, Jo made offensive comments about a person’s body and race. She said words to the effect of “My friend from high school got really fat. We were all surprised because she’s Asian and they’re, like, never fat.”

When Jo said this, I tried to end the conversation as quickly as possible. Jo went into the council room with Ahmed and Xia. Prince and I all left the office.

Notes written 21 June 2024 at 2pm.

Incident occurred 21 June 2024 at 1.15pm.

Incident occurred in the SUPRA office, level 2 couches.’