Q&A: What is SafeSpace, London's agency for sex workers and women in crisis?
SafeSpace has come under fire from a city councillor who opposes its mandate and location
SafeSpace London, a drop-in centre and shelter for sex workers and women in crisis, has been in its location in Old East Village for just over a year, coming under fire from a city councillor who says the service shouldn't stay where it is.
The agency will try at the end of the month to advocate for about $138,000 from city council to stay open until the end of July, two months longer than their current funding allows.
It and other agencies have asked councillors to somehow stop Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson from what they call "online one-sided attacks on agencies doing the heavy and critical work of supporting London's most vulnerable community members." Stevenson has said she is advocating for people in her ward by taking pictures of drug use and people living on the street.
At a city committee on Tuesday, Stevenson said she doesn't support SafeSpace and won't support any agency that wants to locate to a main street within a business district. CBC News spoke to SafeSpace executive director Jenna Rose Sands and board chair Rachel Berdan.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
CBC: What is SafeSpace?
SafeSpace: At SafeSpace, we provide basic needs supports as well as showers, laundry, beds, clothing for those engaged in sex work at the street level but as well for gender non-conforming folks and trans folks, and women-identified folks who are in crisis.
You don't need to be engaged in sex work to access our services. We support folks in connecting with other agencies that help with housing, ID, healthcare, and a variety of services. We provide options when options are wanted. Sometimes, people just need supports by way of listening, a hug, laughing, snacks, food, something to drink, a moment to rest, and a place to nap.
CBC: When you say in crisis what, what do you mean?
SafeSpace: Unhoused, Struggling with substance use disorder, violence, abuse. People fleeing violence, anything where someone feels like they are needing support and help.
CBC: How successful would you say the last year has been in Old East Village?
SafeSpace: Hugely successful. We have 15 beds and they're often full. We have had great feedback from our landlord and have a fantastic relationship with him.
We try to have positive relationships with other folks who can support the same folks we do and do it in a good way and in a meaningful, dignified way.
CBC: If SafeSpace didn't exist, where would these women go?
SafeSpace: I don't know. It's a broader question we're having as a community: if services aren't funded, where will people go? We're not the only ones that we're looking at our funding ending in May. I know that the entire sector is working hard to get the hubs operational but when the funding runs out at the end of May it impacts outreach teams, depots, drop-in services, and showers. I don't know where people will go.
CBC: You faced criticism from some neighbours and in particular Coun. Susan Stevenson, who said she doesn't support your agency and said there are too many social services in Old East Village and that you are a bad neighbour. What's your response?
SafeSpace: I've only talked to her once when Safe Space invited her before we were even open. One of the guiding principles of health and homelessness was we understand that we have differing opinions and histories within this work, but that we're coming together with a common goal of meeting people where they're at and supporting the needs at the most marginalized. I would also expect other folks who want to engage to follow that.
CBC: How damaging would you say her social media posts have been?
SafeSpace: When a conversation is not meaningfully had with respect and reciprocity and reach-outs, that it is very capacity draining across the entire sector. It doesn't just impact SafeSpace. It impacts everyone and every frontline worker who is feeling heavy about the community that they're supporting being attacked or disparaged.
Those engaged in sex work access at many agencies; we're not the only ones. To just come at us without reaching out to have a conversation I feel is concerning.