Protective Behaviours

Aim

The Protective Behaviours programme aims to enhance the problem-solving and communications skills of people of all ages. It also encourages individuals to identify situations that are unsafe, or potentially unsafe, and to develop strategies to counter these situations and preserve their physical and emotional safety.

Overview

The Protective Behaviours programme was first introduced as a preventative educational strategy against child abuse. The success of the programme has led to its adaptation to suit persons of all ages and abilities in all situations where personal safety is a concern. With its emphasis on the right to safety, networks and problem-solving strategies, the programme has proven effective in relation to a range of personal safety issues including drug and alcohol abuse, school bullying, domestic violence and sexual harassment.

Further Information

There are trained Protective Behaviours programme facilitators in all Queensland Police Regions with access to resources and training kits. These officers are able to facilitate community presentations or be contacted for individual advice.

The Protective Behaviours brochure is available from all Queensland Police Stations.

For further information on Protective Behaviours contact the

Crime Prevention Unit on (07) 3234 2111 or the

Protective Behaviours Consultancy group in Brisbane on (07) 3278 2214.

Basis of Programme

Two themes form the foundation of the Protective Behaviour Program. These are:

1. We all have the right to feel safe all of the time.

Everybody is encouraged to recognise their inherent right to feeling safe as well as to respect others right to safety. Everyone is encouraged to recognise their feelings of safety in different situations. When we feel unsafe, our bodies tell us through physical sensations that something is wrong.

These physical sensations are called early warning signs, however they are often also called natural instincts, gut feelings or intuition. Some of these early warning signs may include butterflies in the stomach, sweaty hands, goose bumps and a racing heart. There are three types of situations where we may experience these early warning signs.

1) When we feel unsafe but are having fun and are in control of the situation eg watching a scary movie.

2) When we feel unsafe, it is not fun, but we are still in control of the situation e.g. sitting an exam, going to the dentist.

3)When we feel unsafe, it is not fun and we have no control over the situation e.g. an attack situation.

The third situation can be seen to constitute a personal emergency, as the individual is in danger of losing control over what happens to them. When this occurs you are encouraged to use safety strategies and personal networks to regain control of the situation, as well as your physical and emotional safety.

2. Nothing is so awful we can't talk with someone about it.

There are numerous benefits of having a network of people that you feel confident talking to when you feel unsafe. Having a number of alternative people on a network should mean that there is always one person available and suitable to discuss any concern that you may have. The benefits of talking with members of a network can include the reduction of stress and a feeling of comfort and support, which can result in an increased ability to regain control of the situation.

Members of a network should be trustworthy, accessible, willing to listen, and willing to take action with you, but not for you. The network person's role is to support you - not to disempower you by taking over.