On safe spaces

[girliejones]

I've been personally grappling with bringing an issue to WASFF relating to the values statement that is currently in preparation (http://community.livejournal.com/swancon/152957.html). However, I feel that I need to get a sense of the scale of it - is this just me? Is it just some of the

Comments

[mortonhall]

I have always felt very safe at Swancon. Even when I was very very drunk and almost incapable of walking, I felt safe.

However, I no longer feel particularly safe in the area that Swancon has been held over the last couple of years. To this end, I can't guarantee I'll ever attend a Swancon again. My hometown is no longer "safe" for me and it'll take a lot for me to return.

[stephen_dedman]

Swancon, no. The area around some of the venues, occasionally.

[stephbg]

I've always felt safe inside Swancon, but frequently less than secure outside the venues.

[jonathanstrahan]

I'm physically large and at least moderately egotistical, so I've mostly felt physically and emotionally safe at events like Swancon. That said, I've strongly been given the impression by others that there's a disturbingly predatory atmosphere at some Swancons and I'd definitely be keeping an eye out for younger people at those events.

[baby_elvis]

I have never really felt unsafe at Swancon, but I can understand how others might, especially if they are alone. I have had experiences with sleazy blokes that boggled me, but didn't make me feel unsafe, but they very easily may make someone else feel unsafe.