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Response to questions about Safe Space

May 18, 2005

Safe Space is designed for individuals who are ready to meet together in a group and avail themselves of self-empowering activities. Through our Anti-Trafficking Program, we will screen individuals to make sure they feel ready for this experience. Moving from victim to survivor is a process. People need to recognize what has happened to them with all the complexities that involves. A client-centered approach is always foremost in our planning and we want to be sure that our clients make their own choices for what services they want to participate in. The idea of Safe Space is to create a place where clients feel "safe" enough to face both strengths and vulnerabilities. It is not meant to be the kind of safety situation one goes to immediately after leaving a trafficking situation

Florrie Burke, Safe Horizon, Senior Director of International Programs, Anti-Trafficking and SOLACE Program for Survivors of Torture