Safe Zone Contract
A Safe Zone contact is someone with information, sensitivity, and understanding towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) issues or concerns.
A Safe Zone Contact has participated in Safe Zone training, signed the Safe Zone contract, and is committed to providing a safe place in which to discuss LGBTQ and coming out issues.
SAFE ZONE CONTRACT AND CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT
MSUM Safe Zone seeks to from a network of students, faculty, and staff committed and trained to provide safe, non judgmental, and supportive contacts for all MSUM community members who may be dealing with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or questioning issues.
Responsibilities
As a Safe Zone Contact Person at MSUM, I recognize my responsibilities to:
- promote an atmosphere of confidentiality and inform the person coming into my office/room of the limitations to that confidentiality
- not attempt to sway the person to a different sexual orientation or viewpoint
- be a contact person and positive listener to all who request my services as a Safe Zone Contact Person
- provide reference materials and other resources about sexual identity and support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people (LGBTQ) in the area
- provide support to any person who is dealing with the negative effects of homophobia so she/he will not feel alone
- provide support and information to people who are having difficulty understanding or dealing with the sexual orientation of others (e.g., roommate, sibling, friend, etc.)
- offer support and referral to legal assistance for anyone who has been harassed because of her/his sexual orientation, including but not limited to an appropriate campus office or program
- provide assistance for the community member whenever necessary; to help a person bring her/his case to the Counseling Center and/or Hendrix Health Center and to other advocates, legal or otherwise, in a confidential way, if so requested by a student, staff member, or faculty member.
Rights
I recognize that I have rights as a Safe Zone Contact Person. They are:
- I can, at any time, refer the person seeking assistance to the Counseling Center and/or Hendrix Health Center if I do not feel comfortable with a particular situation.
- I can, at any time, call upon other Safe Zone Contact Persons to answer questions or receive support.
- I can, at any time, call upon any other resources I find helpful that are consistent with the mission and purposes of the MSUM Safe Zone Project.
- My relationship with the Safe Zone Project may be re-evaluated at my request or the request of the MSUM Safe Zone Planning Committee. I understand that behavior contrary to the spirit of the Safe Zone project may be handled in one or more of the following ways:
- An individual meeting(s) may be held with a member of the planning committee;
- Additional training may be required or requested; and/or
- Membership as a Safe Zone provider may be revoked.