Protective Behaviours: safety, confidence and self‐esteem

Protective Behaviours is an empowerment process that raises self‐esteem and self‐confidence and increases assertiveness in the context of feeling safe. Developed in the US as a response to legislation around the prevention of child abuse, it was initially designed to be taught to young children in the classroom. Other ways of using it have subsequently been explored and it has been recognised as having a wider application than child abuse prevention: notably with victims (and perpetrators) of bullying, domestic violence and peer pressure. A key element of Protective Behaviours is empowering those who have been marginalised, excluded or denied a voice. This paper outlines the history and process and attempts to establish an evidence base for its effectiveness.