Which statement is true about Protective Alternatives?

• A. They are used to overcome continued resistance, assaultive behavior, or threats.
• B. They are used to safely initiate physical contact.
• C. They are primarily designed to push individuals away.
• D. They are never used in assaultive scenarios.

Answer: (B)

Protective Alternatives are about starting interaction in a controlled, safe way to protect you and others and to create a safer path to de‑escalate or gain control. The key idea is to use touch or close contact that is purposeful but non-threatening, so you can establish the proper position, reduce risk of injury, and set up an opportunity to disengage if needed. That’s why the statement describing them as tools to safely initiate physical contact fits best: it focuses on beginning contact in a way that protects everyone involved and lays the groundwork for further safety decisions. The other ideas don’t fit as well because Protective Alternatives aren’t mainly about forcing resistance, they aren’t just about pushing someone away, and they can be used in assaultive contexts to manage safety rather than being excluded from such situations.