Introduction

Protective Behaviours is a personal safety program which was first introduced to Australia in 1985 as an educational strategy to prevent child abuse.

Prior to the introduction of Protective Behaviours,our community's response to physical, sexual and emotional abuse had been to focus on strategies aimed at avoiding abuse by strangers (e.g. 'Stranger Danger'). Whilst we must not ignore the possibility that people may be the victims of random acts of violence by unknown offenders,the overwhelming majority of all types of abuse (approximately 90%*) is committed by a person known to the victim.

Protective Behaviours acknowledges this fact through its focus on maintaining the safety of the individual, rather than offender characteristics.

The success of the program has led to its adaptation to suit people 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 program has proven effective in relation to an enormous range of personal safety issues including drug and alcohol abuse, bullying, domestic violence and sexual harassment.

Overview

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

The Protective Behaviours program is based on two simple themes:

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

This theme encourages participants to recognise their inherent right to feeling safe as well as to respect the right to safety of others.

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

This theme encourages participants to identify and seek assistance from, trusted network members when they do not feel safe.

Rather than being a step-by-step teaching guide,the program provides a framework that individuals can adapt to suit their needs. Subsequently the progr m focuses on 'empowering' the individual to take action in unsafe situations in order to restore them to state of physical and emotional safety.

*Australian Institute of Child Welfare 1998, Child Protection Australia 1996 - 1997, Child Welfare Series, no.20, AIHW Cat No. CWS4, Canberra.