Safer space agreement

Embrace Connection events have a culture of consent and care designed to work for our safety, comfort and enjoyment. 

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Culture and Expectations

• All participants agree to these agreements at the beginning of every event. 

• • Self Care and Authenticity: I will care for my own needs and boundaries, and express my No’s and Yes’s as clearly as I can.

  • Care for Others and Consent: I will care for others  needs and boundaries, including seeking consent before acting, celebrating no's, and checking in. If needed I will apologize and repair.

  • Sober, non-sexual space: I understand this is a sober, non-sexual space, and I will lean away from sexual charge if it arises. 

• There is no “correct” way to participate. Different people navigate the event in different ways according to their needs, and that is totally acceptable. 

• Everything is an invitation. Nothing a facilitator or any participant says, suggests or asks for is mandatory. No's are welcome.

• This is a jam. We all take some responsibility for caring for the other members and the flow of the jam. Other participants, whether returning, experienced, or first timers help support the space. 

• We aim to communicate openly and unselfconsciously to avoid assumptions, projections and expectations. 

• These are spaces to explore our edges and work with our “stuff.” However these are not spaces for going deep into trauma processing. If there are hints of things heading towards a deeper process, a facilitator will support participants to return to a regulated state. 

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Practical Steps

• A phone/zoom call is offered before the event to help participants feel prepared and reassured. 

• A support/debrief call after events is also available.

• If you have any specific safety or wellbeing needs, please let us know in advance.

• At the start of the event, participants have the opportunity to speak their needs to the whole group.

• If something feels off in any way during the event, participants are encouraged to take care of themselves by: communicating their needs, saying no, making adjustments, taking space, sitting out.  

• There is a solo space where participants can take space and not interact with others.

• A facilitator is always available for direct support during the event.

• If needed, a  facilitator can mediate misunderstandings and conflict during the event, and support repair after the event.

• The facilitator role during the event is to hold space and serve. Facilitators do not seek direct benefit from participants. 

• During workshops, all attendees are treated equally regardless of existing relationship outside of the workshop.

• The facilitators do not leverage their social capital to influence relationships with attendees.

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Safeguarding

We are committed to creating the safest environments we can. If you experience anything that feels unsafe, or know about someone in attendance who has caused harm to others, we want to know! Please share your concerns with us. 

 

We stand with survivors. Some participants have a history of relational or touch-based trauma that they are working on healing at these events. 

 

We also support personal growth. Where possible, we want to support individuals with a history of causing harm who are actively working to improve their behaviours. We can work together to establish clear boundaries and expectations in the space. Individuals who cause harm and/or take no accountability are not welcome at these events. 

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My (Treasure) personal growth journey was accelerated by a few consent and communication issues in my past. These drove me to significant attitude and behavioural changes through learning and self-work. I take responsibility for my actions. A part of my journey forward is through Embrace Connection, to share the lessons I have learned so far and help prevent or support similar issues. 

If you wish to learn more about this journey, please send me a message

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Please do communicate about any safety and safeguarding issues! We value and welcome clear, honest communication.