PB+ Resources
STRATEGY 5: PROTECTIVE INTERRUPTING
Aim : to identify at least two actions that could be taken to
stop a potential or actual unsafe situation.
Time : 10- 15 minutes
Materials : Definition of Protective Interrupting
Introduction:
There are many times when we find ourselves in an uncomfortable situation.
People may be behaving in ways we consider inappropriate or unsafe for
us. The good news is that we don't have to put up with it. The fifth strategy
of Protective Behaviours can help us. It is called Protective Interruption.
A good definition of this would be any action, word or strategy which
interrupts or stops potential or actual unsafe situations. Let's look
at some examples of situations where we might be able to use some of the
things we have learned from the themes and ideas in our Protective Behaviours
work which we could use as Protective Interrupting.
Activity :
Someone in your group is spreading rumours.
- What could you do?
- What could you say?
- What aspects of the Protective Behaviours process could you be using
in this situation?
Someone is telling sexist or racist jokes at a party.
- What could you do?
- What could you say?
- What aspects of the Protective Behaviours process could you be using
in this situation?
- You are asked to keep a secret.
- What could you say?
- What could you do?
- What aspects of the Protective Behaviours process could you be using
in this situation?
For the leader, the key elements of the Protective Behaviours process
to explore in this exercise could be listening to and acting upon your
early warning signs; using your network to talk the issue through with
someone; recalling the feelings thoughts behaviour model before acting;
employing the one-step-removed strategy.
On a personal level, leaders could explore the kind of strategy they
might adopt, if a child or young person began to disclose abuse in front
of his/her peers, unprotected by the boundaries of group confidentiality
and open to possible victimisation or possibly ridicule. What protective
interrupting strategies might you employ?
Epilogue:
Protective Interrupting can be a useful strategy not only in group situations:
individuals can practise it by listening to their early warning signs
to interrupt behaviour which may cause self-harm, such as over-eating
or working long hours without a break.
Possible adaptations or applications to the Church context:
The New Testament letters have many examples of protective interrupting.
The writer may be trying to stop people falling away, or into error. Some
of these could be explored.
It could be interesting to look for links between protective interrupting
and sin.
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