Creating Safe Spaces: Ground Rules

Establishing a safe space begins with ground rules, also known as a working agreement or group agreement. At the heart of creating ground rules is the act of asking individuals what they need from one another in order to feel safe. Boundaries require clarity. Creating ground rules assists individuals with achieving and understanding what they need to feel safe.

If you have ever attended a Professional Development Program (PDP) training you most likely have taken part in establishing participant ground rules. For example, the training “Boundaries: Setting Limits and Sharing Safely” begins with setting ground rules that are then posted for all participants to see. Each member of the class is asked to not only contribute to the ground rules but also commit to them. The act of committing to the ground rules is essential to establishing a safe space. Some common ground rules that emerge from this activity are to actively listen, respect other viewpoints, and withhold judgment. This activity sets the stage for in-depth discussions around physical and emotional boundaries. This training acknowledges different levels of comfort when it comes to physical space and explores how emotional boundaries can vary and may be more difficult to communicate. 

Another PDP training that aims to support the cultivation of safe spaces is “Milestones and Meaning: A Brief Introduction for Emerging LGBTQ+ Allies”. This training focuses on the creation of environments in which youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGIEs) are supported and empowered. An additional focus of this training is to build awareness of community resources to assist participants in the continued development of respectful and responsive care for youth. This training explores many resources including Q Chat Space. This resource is designed to connect LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-19 in a safe and accepting virtual environment. Q Chat creates a safe space by setting ground rules that promote respect so that LGBTQ+ youth feel safe, get support, and make friends. Q Chat offers quick exit buttons that can be utilized if a youth feels unsafe in their environment while viewing the website and starts each session with a reminder of the ground rules, which include:

• Respect other’s identities and pronouns 
• Keep confidentiality – what’s shared here, stays here
• Be here for support and try to stay positive
• Welcome new ideas and different perspectives
• Own up to and forgive mistakes

Both facilitators and participants in Q Chat groups commit to keeping these agreements in an effort to build a community based on respect and trust.

Setting ground rules as a youth or an adult is not only helpful for trainings, meetings, or group dynamics but can also be very helpful in social and interpersonal relationships. Some examples of ground rules for a friend and intimate partner relationships may be: 

• No name-calling when upset 
• No texting after an agreed-upon time
• Provide time and space to one another to accomplish individual goals. 

These are just a few examples of ground rules that youth can establish in their relationships. Ground rules will be unique to each relationship. Having an open dialogue to discuss boundaries and expectations can set the stage for a safe space within any interpersonal dynamic. 

No matter the space, it is important to support youth in understanding how they can establish ground rules in any setting or relationship so that they feel safe to be the unique and vibrant individuals that they truly are.

For more information and support, reach out to the Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) in your region and check out these PDP trainings: 

• Boundaries: Setting Limits and Sharing Safely
• Milestones and Meaning: A Brief Introductions for Emerging LGBTQ+ Allies
• Promoting Positive Youth Development and Well-Being