safe spaces
Welcoming, protected environments
Safe spaces are environments—physical or social—where people can express themselves without fear of judgment, ridicule, or hostility.
The term emerged from feminist and LGBTQ communities to describe places where marginalized groups could speak freely.
In educational settings, safe spaces aim to facilitate open discussion of sensitive topics.
Critics use the term dismissively to suggest oversensitivity or avoidance of challenging ideas: These kids want safe spaces instead of debate.
The phrase has become politically charged, praised by some as necessary for vulnerable groups and mocked by others as coddling.
- trigger warningsAlerts preceding distressing material
- allyshipActive support for marginalized
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- refugePlace of safety
- shelterProtected place or structure
inclusion · haven · soft landing · visibility · chosen family · community care · intersectionality · asylum · boundaries · peer support · empowerment · activism · equality · retreat · mental health support · support networks · healing circle · acceptance
- supportive environmentssupport groups, mentorship programs, healthy relationships, peer support
- anti-bullyingcyberbullying prevention, upstander, zero tolerance, zero tolerance policies, anonymous reporting
- LGBTQ servicespride center, gender clinics, hormone therapy, HIV testing, HIV prevention
- peer supportpeer counseling, peer mentors, peer counselors, support networks, self-help groups
- supportsupport, emotional support, moral support, support group, stand by
- health educationhealth education, health curriculum, school health, health literacy, health videos
safe spacesfree speech zones
Designated public protest areas
free speech zone · open forum · marketplace of ideas · trial by fire · crucibles
safe, space, safety, unsafe, safeguard, safely, safer, safeguards, safest