Becoming a Safe Space for Others

    In Proxemics, there are different spaces classified according to distance and these are intimate space, personal space, social space, and public space. One can maintain and choose to have any of these spaces depending on their relationship with the person or people they are with and the purpose of such interaction. One can have his/her intimate space with family, close friends, and partner while maintaining personal space when with friends and acquaintances; Engage in social space when having formal interactions while enjoying public space during lectures and large gatherings.

    These four zones of proxemics give us the concept of having boundaries and limitations in our day-to-day functions and in dealing with other people. Being familiar with these zones also aids in being mindful of our own and other people's physical and psychological comfort (because proxemics is not just about the physical/spatial, it also has an effect to the psychological well-being). And since awareness is half the battle, by knowing and understanding the importance of intimate space, personal space, social space, and public space, one can be a protector of an individual's space.

    By being knowledgable and aware of how a single zone can make a difference to a person's physical and psychological well-being, one can ensure that a person's space becomes sacred. Because at the end of the day, everyone must have their own right to enjoy their space the way they want it to be and have the option to invite people in that space whenever they want to. In this way, one can empower others in protecting and owning their sacred spaces. Through empowerment comes mutual understanding that someone's space shouldn't be invaded nor abused.

    But how about safe space? Where does safe space come in? Being a safe space is more than spatial. Being a safe space is about protecting one's rights - right to safety and security, right to privacy and personal boundaries, right to equality and non-discrimination, right to dignity and respect, right to participation and expression, right to work and education without harassment, and right to mental and emotional well-being. Being a protector of other people's rights make one a beacon of hope amidst a world of uncertainties - that safe space is not just a spatial construct, but can also be in a form of a person (a human-being ensuring humane activities for the welfare of humanity).

    By becoming a safe space for others, one acts as a protective zone that allows the growth and immunity of vulnerable ones. By exercising safe space, one ensures individuals that they are free from any forms of worries and are not subject to any potential harm - may it be self-inflicting or abuse from others. Being a safe space is a guarantee that an individual seeking refuge and understanding is well-accepted and well-understood.

    Given the different rights that safe space protects and the different spaces introduced by proxemics, it is important to know how these two concepts intertwined with each other:

• the right to safety and security encompasses all zones
• the right to privacy and personal boundaries touches intimate space and personal space
• the right to equality and non-discrimination touches social space and public space
• the right to dignity and respect encompasses all zones
• the right to participation and expression touches social space and public space
• the right to work and education without harassment touches social space
• the right to mental and emotional well-being encompasses all zones

    As a safe space to everyone, one becomes a stronghold of the weak and the abused. And being a stronghold means you are capable of protecting them while they navigate their way towards positive transformation - free from fear, trauma, and distresses. An individual's potential to grow and be transformed can be correlated to how effective you are as his/her safe space. Try asking these questions to know your capacity as an effective safe space:

• How capable am I in ensuring that the person's trust leads to personal safety and security?
• How capable am I in respecting one's privacy and personal boundaries?
• How capable am I in pursuing equality and in maintaining a room free from judgment and discrimination?
• How capable am I in giving rightful dignity and respect?
• How capable am I in encouraging proper participation and freedom to self-expression?
• How capable am I in making sure that workplaces and educational spaces become safe against power tripping, potential harm, and harassment?
• How capable am I in establishing a space for mental and emotional well-being?

    If you are able to positively answer all of the questions given, then you are a safe space and you are capable of bringing safe space to anyone in dire need. You are not just someone trustworthy or a go-to person, you are far more valuable than that. You are other people's stronghold. A safe space to others capable of protecting, uplifting, and empowering them. 

Image sources: Proxemics, Safe Space