Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS) is an American
nonprofit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
based in
Washington, D.C.
)
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It says it is "a
grassroots organization that works to build a community free from public
sexual harassment and
assault."
The group's outlook is
feminist and
intersectional
Intersectionality is an analytical framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege. Intersectionality identifies multiple factors of adv ...
, focusing on how street harassment and
toxic masculinity
Toxic masculinity is a set of certain male behaviors associated with harm to society and men themselves. Traditional stereotypes of men as socially dominant, along with related traits such as misogyny and homophobia, can be considered "toxic" d ...
affect women as well as
LGBT people
The LGBT community (also known as the LGBTQ+ community, GLBT community, gay community, or queer community) is a loosely defined grouping of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other queer individuals united by a common culture and social ...
and
people of color
The term "person of color" ( : people of color or persons of color; abbreviated POC) is primarily used to describe any person who is not considered "white". In its current meaning, the term originated in, and is primarily associated with, the U ...
.
It supports the
decriminalization of sex work
The decriminalization of sex work is the removal of criminal penalties for sex work (specifically, prostitution). Sex work, the consensual provision of sexual services for money or goods, is criminalized in most countries. Decriminalization is d ...
through its DecrimNow campaign. The group and its members heavily use social media in campaigns.
In May 2016, CASS launched the Safe Bars Collective, a training program to help bar staff recognize signals that someone might feel unsafe or uncomfortable. The initiative also trains transgender workers of color in Washington, D.C. alongside the
Restaurant Opportunities Center
The Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC) is a not-for-profit organization and worker center with affiliates in a number of cities across the United States. Its mission is to improve wages and working conditions for the nation's low wage ...
.
See also
*
Safe space
The term safe space refers to places "intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations". The term originated in LGBT culture, but has since expanded to include any place where a margi ...
*
Nona Conner
References
{{reflist
External links
Official websiteLibrary of Congress entry
Feminism in Washington, D.C.
Human rights organizations based in the United States
United States labor law
Sexual harassment