What is De-escalation?

De-escalation is an intervention for use with people who are at risk of aggression.

It is a process aimed at reducing tension, hostility or conflict in a situation.

It involves employing verbal and non-verbal techniques (body language) to defuse or decrease the intensity of potentially volatile or dangerous situations.

The primary goal of de-escalation is to promote calmness and understanding, and reach a peaceful resolution by encouraging open communication, active listening, empathy and non-confrontational behaviour.

The deployment of de-escalation techniques promoting safety and  cooperation aims to prevent and / or minimise the escalation of conflicts resulting in a positive outcome for all involved.