
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.