Safeguarding Principles
1. INTERSECTIONALITY
Here at Trans State Watch UK - henceforth TSW - we aim to provide a welcoming and safe environment for ALL members and respondents. This means we aim to challenge oppression and hierarchies in everything we do, including but not limited to:
- Transphobia
- Racism
- Misogyny
- Transmisogyny
- Homophobia
- Abuse and Abuse Apologism
- Ableism
- Fatphobia
- Xenophobia
- Islamophobia
- Anti-Semitism
- Colourism
- Classism
- Stigmatisation of sex workers
Please be mindful of your words and actions. It's okay to make mistakes, however we ask members to reflect and learn from any issues raised. Even unintentional harm is harm still caused.
2. ASSUMPTIONS
Not all identities or situations are visible. At TSW, we operate on a system of self-definition, and for this reason we ask that you do not presume to know or challenge a person's background. This includes a person's pronouns, race, economic background, or disability, among others.
3. CONSENT
Not everyone's physical and emotional boundaries are the same. TSW will provide content warnings for every event that deals with sensitive topics (e.g. sexual assault, mental illness, police brutality), however we can't always know what will pop up or the experiences of those in the conversation. For this reason, we ask that before you discuss sensitive topics in group conversations, ask if the group is comfortable doing so.
4. ACCESSIBILITY
TSW recognises the need to ensure maximum accessibility at all times in group communications. For this reason, we will aim to use jargon-free language wherever possible - or to explain jargon when used - and to include warnings for potential sensory overload when sharing content (e.g., loud noises, strobe lighting, etc.). Please consult sections 3 and 5, on consent and labour, for further guidance relevant to maximum accessibility in TSW.
5. LEARNING AND LABOUR
No question is a stupid question- if you don't understand something or would like to know more, just ask. However, please keep in mind that we are each responsible for our own learning and do not demand excessive emotional labour from other members. Similarly, please be considerate when offering criticism. All members of TSW are expected to attempt to educate themselves continually on issues of oppression, particularly where we as individuals benefit from them.
Similarly, at TSW, we understand that different people have different levels of capacity for the work we will be doing. We ask that members respect one another's capacity, and do not demand excessive labour from one another. As a collective, we will each have different strengths and weaknesses, and different capacities at different times, and we will aim to maximise on those differences so that labour is shared fairly between members. As such, we also ask that members communicate as clearly as they are able about their capacity, so that adjustments can be made.
6. BEYOND OUR FORUMS
Our safer space policy extends beyond the online forums through which TSW's work is conducted. We ask that (with the exception of harmful behaviour) any discussions had remain within the forum and are not pursued without the consent of the individual. ANY harassment of/discrimination towards members or respondents in or outside of our forums will not be tolerated; in the event of such behaviour, you will be refused participation in TSW's work.