Building Safer Ground

If your relationship is crippled by fear, anger or conflict, and there is a desire to change the relationship for the better, then Building Safer Ground (BSG) may be for you. BSG is a process that allows constructive dialogue to happen. It’s designed for couples or families at risk for harm or violence, and is available to anyone in an intimate relationship - married, living together, or co-parenting after a separation.

BSG is a voluntary and confidential process that provides an opportunity for you and your partner to meet in a safe place with highly skilled, sympathetic professionals known as restorative practice facilitators. We’ll help you talk about your feelings about your relationship. You can expect to be treated with respect, and your issues will be the focus of the discussion.

Face to face meetings are usually arranged, but only when you are ready and if you choose. The focus is on what’s happening in the relationship and the impact of any harmful actions.

BSG is also flexible and can be adapted to meet the needs of different cultures.

If there are legal barriers to your participation, you may need to get permission from the Court before meeting with your partner through BSG.

How does Building Safer Ground work?

The BSG process allows you to do the following things:

• Talk directly about harmful behaviour
• Explore what harm looks like to each person
• Talk about the impact of harmful actions
• Talk about responsibility for actions
• Explore the choice to use violence when experiencing conflict, anger, or frustration
• Explore the possibility of making other choices
• Encourage personal accountability for action taken towards the person harmed

What are the benefits of Building Safer Ground?

• Participants set goals and contribute to outcomes in a safe and respectful process
• The chance to ask questions, talk constructively and gain insight into the other person and his or her behaviour
• The opportunity to gain a better understanding of the harm and its impact
• The chance to accept responsibility for actions and be held accountable
• The opportunity to repair the harm caused
• Safer families and communities

To learn more about BSG, you can contact us.

Brochure: Building Safer Ground (PDF 800 KB)