Creating Safe Space: The First Step Toward Healing
When working with girls who have been involved in the juvenile justice system, one of the most important lessons we can teach isn't found in a textbook—it's learning to recognize and protect their space. For many girls who have experienced trauma, their sense of space—physical, emotional, social—has been invaded or disregarded. The “S” in our STRENGTH model stands for Space, and it's the foundation of healing.
Why Space Matters
Space is about more than just having room to breathe. It’s about having autonomy over your body, your emotions, your thoughts, and your energy. Trauma often strips away that sense of control. Girls may learn to tolerate discomfort, ignore warning signs from their body, or lose the ability to say “no” and have it respected.
That’s why the first questions we introduce are:
How much space do I need?
How do I protect my space?
What cues does my body give me about my space?
By exploring answers to these questions, girls begin to reclaim ownership over their environment and responses.
Listening to the Body
Our bodies are wise. They tell us when we feel safe, when something feels off, and when a boundary is being crossed. But if you've lived through trauma, it can feel safer to ignore those messages. We teach girls to check in with physical sensations:
Tightness in the chest
Butterflies in the stomach
A racing heart
Shallow breathing
These are signals—not symptoms—to pay attention to. Once a girl learns to read these cues, she can respond instead of react.
Respecting and Setting Boundaries
In group, we talk about the difference between keeping people out and protecting what’s within. Setting boundaries is not about isolation—it’s about self-respect.
We role-play saying “no” with confidence. We practice asking for space without guilt. We give girls the language and the power to protect their bodies, their time, and their energy.
Daily Practice: The “Space Check-In”
At the start of each group, we do a simple exercise:
Where am I holding tension right now?
What do I need to feel safe in this space?
Is there anything I need to say or do to feel more comfortable today?
This kind of check-in helps girls build self-awareness and normalize conversations about boundaries and comfort.
Closing Thought
Creating safe space is more than a therapeutic exercise—it’s a life skill. When girls learn to recognize, protect, and reclaim their space, they lay the foundation for healing, confidence, and personal power. Space is the first step toward STRENGTH—and every girl deserves it.
🧠 Reflection Questions for Readers:
When do you feel most protective of your space?
How do you know when someone is too close—physically or emotionally?
What are 3 ways you can protect your space today?
