Safety, Risk & Decisions
This module teaches how to think clearly when environments feel unsafe ā not how to be brave.
š Your safety comes first.
If reading feels unsafe, pause or return later on a safer device.
Risk vs Fear
Fear is a feeling. Risk is the likelihood of harm.
High fear does not always mean high risk ā and low fear does not mean safety.
Why fear can mislead decisions
Fear is shaped by stress, trauma, and past experience. Risk is shaped by environment, opportunity, timing, and behaviour.
Decision-Making Under Stress
What stress does to thinking
- Narrows attention
- Reduces memory
- Increases freeze
Why simple decisions are safer
Simple, rehearsed choices reduce hesitation and prevent freezing.
Risk Stacking
What risk stacking looks like
- Isolation + darkness
- Alcohol + unfamiliar people
- Fatigue + pressure
- No exit + fear
How to reduce stacked risk
Remove even one factor and overall danger often drops significantly.
Decision Compression
The goal is not the perfect decision ā
it is the safest workable decision made early.
Professional rule of thumb
- Distance beats debate
- Movement beats waiting
- Exits beat explanations
Interactive Scenario
You feel uncomfortable but canāt explain why. Someone is standing close and blocking movement.
Safer response
Create space early. Move toward light, people, or exits without explanation.
Risky response
Waiting for certainty or worrying about politeness increases risk.
Quick Decision Flash Cards
Risk isā¦
The likelihood of harm occurring.
Need support?
š National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24/7): 0808 2000 247
š https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help
š https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/
š National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24/7): 0808 2000 247
š https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help
š https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/
