With the aim of raising awareness on pressing socio-political issues in the country, FAST2018 commenced its multi-part campaign entitled Advocaseries. Its first installment was launched last November 28 at Room 509 of the Yuchengco Hall, centering on the topic of Safe Spaces—SOGIE Equality and Anti-Sexual Harassment and Discrimination.
The urgency for safe spaces
In her opening remarks, FAST2018 Vice Chairperson for Student Welfare Avery del Mundo explained the purpose of safe spaces for members of marginalized sectors to express themselves without judgement. ‘’Safe spaces [are] providing a nurturing environment for these sectors. We want to prevent [having] vulnerable sectors [in] society, to keep them away from poor mental health outcomes,’’ she mentioned.
Maya: The Feminist Collective co-founder and guest speaker Kana Takahashi expressed that the lack of safe spaces in the country is a result of people not knowing their boundaries. ‘’Ano ba yung limit? Hanggang saan ba tayo pwede mag-joke? Maraming hindi may alam noon,’’ she pointed out.
(What is the limit? How far can we take a joke? Many people do not know that.)
The nature of sexual harassment
Takahashi highlighted the lack of consent as the culprit in sexual harassment cases. “[It is] important na every time we interact with another person, mayroon tayong consent. The absence of a no doesn’t mean yes,” she emphasized.
(It is important that every time we interact with another person, we have consent.)
Takahashi cited examples of sexual harassment, such as unwanted sexual statements and unwanted personal attention, among others. She highlighted that these forms of sexual harassment may take place anywhere—in public places, in the workplace, inside the campus, and even online.
While several laws are already in place to protect individuals from sexual harassment, Takahashi stressed that most of them are only focused on specific sectors, a problem the Safe Spaces Act aims to address. “‘Pag sinabi mo namang Safe Spaces Law, lahat tayo sakop niyan, regardless kung lalake ka, kung babae ka, or part ka ng [LGBTQ+] community,’’ she stated.
(When you say Safe Spaces Law, it covers everyone, regardless if you are male, female, or part of the [LGBTQ+] community.)
Offenses under the Safe Spaces Act are punishable by fines ranging from P1,000 to P100,000, community service, or even prison sentences lasting up to six months, depending on the severity of the violation.
Microaggressions and gender dysphoria
Apart from the lengthy discussion on the current problems related to sexual harrasment, Takahashi talked about microaggressions, or subtle acts of discrimination against particular groups of people. “We continue to forgive the bad things men do to women because of the idea of ‘boys will be boys,’” she said. Takahashi also contended that “varying worldviews between different sects of people remains a reason for the persistence of discrimination in society.”
Similarly, she also highlighted that another problem the trans community currently faces is the gender dysphoria that occurs. In essence, gender dysphoria is “being confused about who they really are due to being unable to find acceptance in their current state of being,” she explained.
One way to combat this, according to Takahashi, is by supporting Pride Marches or advocacies which aim to protect members of the community, especially with legal struggles for rights, such as the passing of the Safe Spaces Act and the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression Equality Bill being pushed in Congress.
Takahashi gave emphasis on the importance of keeping students aware and involved in current discussions on safe spaces and the fight for human rights, noting, “The experience of a Lasallian student inside school is much different from that if they had exposure outside the campus in workshops, seminars, or talks about the issue.”
