Quit playing it safe: taking a restorative approach to campus safety and belonging

We come from very different backgrounds and lived identities; yet, we share com‐ mon values and a commitment to making a difference. We both see campus safety at the core of our work. The work that we do is often the work that many others would rather not: it is complex and emotional, uncomfortable, frequently with high-stakes and it involves journeying alongside those we work with for at least part of their journey forward, after a harm has occurred. While this approach can be found fairly readily in those who work in the field of human rights and sexual violence, it is not always the experience one expects when they call security. As a central theme of our work we talk about safety a lot. Safety means much more than guarding against physical harm or property crimes on campus. Safety, or feeling safe, depends on the culture and climate of a place and the values of the community. Safety requires feeling included, it is very difficult to describe a sense of safety without belonging and support. Most of all safety can entail a completely unique set of needs for each individual we meet. Helping peo‐ ple define their safety needs and plan for them is at the heart of our approach.