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Here are a few of the frequently asked questions with respect to Safe Zone training. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, email us! Windward Community College (WCC) LGBTQ+ Commissioner contact information is located on the WCC LGBTQ+ webpage.

What does it mean if I see a Safe Zone poster on someone’s door?

A Safe Zone symbol on someone’s door means that they’ve gone through Safe Zone Training training at WCC and have committed to supporting students by being a safe person to talk to. 

Why aren’t Safe Zone trainings mandatory?

The goal of Safe Zone is to create a network of visible allies who are prepared and willing to provide support. Since these are people who might receive sensitive or personal information, it’s important that everyone who goes through the training is ready to be helpful. With mandatory training, some people who are listed as Safe Zone members may not truly be invested in supporting LGBTQ+ people.

Does my Safe Zone training expire?

No, it doesn’t expire, but the curriculum will be updated regularly. So while it’s not required, we recommend renewing Safe Zone training every 3 years.

Why does the training last such a long time?!

There’s a lot of information about complex topics! And more than just providing information, Safe Zone training also includes discussion for real life situations. In fact, the most common feedback we get is that the training should be longer in order to cover topics in more depth.

If you’d like to have a shorter information session, contact us and we’ll work with you to make something that works for you.

Can I request a Safe Zone Workshop for my student organization or campus department?

Yes, we can provide Safe Zone to individual units or departments. You can request training for your group by filling out our WCC Safe Zone Training Request Form.

Shouldn’t all spaces be Safe Zones? Why do we need to designate certain spaces as safe?

They should be, but unfortunately folks in the LGBTQ+ community coming into a space for the first time usually have to assume that it is unsafe until proven otherwise. Designating specific spaces and specific people ensures that there’s a place people can go where they can be sure that they’ll be supported and welcomed.

I can’t come to the scheduled training. Can you email me the manual instead?

Safe Zone Training is intended to be facilitated by a commissioner and so we do not provide the training information (slides, outlines, manuals) in lieu of attending. 

If you can’t make the scheduled training events, You can request training for your group by filling out our WCC Safe Zone Training Request Form.

If you’re interested in learning more on our own, we suggest starting with: Terms Related to Sex and Gender | University of Hawaii System

What if I already completed Safe Zone training at another institution?

Great! And we invite you to bring what you learned at your previous institution with you. However, we still encourage you to attend a Safe Zone training here at WCC to learn more about how our institution-specific issues and challenges. You’ll also get better connected to WCC-specific resources.

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