Safety From a Woman’s Point of View
Safety needs to reach further than words. It needs to reach the body.
Through women’s groups, wellbeing sessions and community spaces, I Am Well and IHN have spent years listening to women.
Women have spoken about being unable to switch off, watching somebody’s mood before deciding what to say, staying alert at night and struggling to trust calm when it finally comes.
They have also told us what helps. Having a choice. Not being pressured to speak. Being believed. Knowing they can step away, change their mind or simply sit quietly without being questioned.
When the Body Does Not Feel Safe
An unsafe experience does not only affect thoughts and emotions.
It can affect sleep, breathing, concentration, digestion, confidence, relationships, touch and the ability to make decisions.
Something may have ended, but the body may still be listening for the next footstep, message, argument or sudden change in somebody’s mood.
A woman can understand that she is no longer in immediate danger and still find it difficult to rest.
This does not mean she is failing to move on.
It means safety may need to be rebuilt.
VFC Women’s Day
During the 16 Days of Activism, VFC will hold a dedicated Women’s Day centred on women’s voices, safety and what still needs to change.
VFC will lead the listening and invite women to share their experiences and views anonymously.
As part of the day, I Am Well will deliver a body-based Rebuilding Safety session, with community support from IHN.
The session will use gentle breathwork, body awareness, grounding and simple movement. Women will not be asked to tell their stories or explain what happened. Every practice will be optional.
The intention is simple.
To give women an opportunity not only to speak about safety, but to experience what a little more safety, choice and space might feel like within the body.
What Rebuilding Safety Can Look Like
Talking has a place. Practical protection and specialist services matter.
Body-based support offers something different.
It can help a woman notice what her body is communicating, recognise when she is becoming overwhelmed and experience small moments of choice, steadiness and rest.
It is not about forcing the body to calm down or asking women to revisit what happened.
It is about creating the conditions where a woman can take part in her own way. Nothing forced. Nothing to prove.
Centreing women within this conversation is not an attack on men or a suggestion that young people are the problem. It keeps the focus where it belongs: on what women need in order to experience safety.
Share Your Voice
VFC will invite women aged 18 and over to answer a short set of anonymous questions.
No name or email address will be required. Women can skip any question and will not be asked to tell their whole story.
The responses will help VFC identify recurring experiences, unmet needs and what women believe should happen next.
Share Your Experience Anonymously
This form is for women aged 18 and over and should take around five minutes.
Your answers are anonymous. Please do not include names or details that could identify you or another person. You can skip any question.
VFC will use the responses to understand recurring experiences, unmet needs and what women believe needs to change.
Continuing the Work
Women who would like further body-based support can also find out about Rebuilding Safety and the women’s spaces available through I Am Well
Safety is not something women should have to perform.
It is something they should have the opportunity to feel.