Safe Space/Saver Space

A ‘safe space’ refers to a protected space (a physical space, period of time, event or platform) intended to protect people from various forms of violence, such as physical or discriminatory violence.

However, there is debate as to whether discrimination, prejudice, stereotypes and violence may also occur in such spaces. The term ‘Safer Space’ may therefore be more appropriate, as it indicates that the space is safer than the everyday world, but not a completely safe space. In safer spaces, therefore, care should be taken to ensure that there is little or no discrimination or violence. This can be achieved, for example, through an awareness team that oversees the safer spaces.

The idea of safer spaces originates from the US queer movement.