Boundary-Setting Scripts

How to use it

1. Choose a situation that feels safe enough to consider; you may keep details general.
2. Try a message such as: ‘I am not available for ___. I can ___.’ Change the words so they sound like you.
3. Choose a backup option, such as delaying, leaving, using digital controls, documenting, or asking a support person.
4. Pass or stop if rehearsal increases concern or discomfort.

Reflection prompts

• Which option feels most realistic and safest in this context?
• What support or backup would you want before trying it?

Facilitator guidance

Assess safety, power differences, retaliation risk, dependence, and cultural context before rehearsal. Direct verbal assertion is not always the safest option; validate indirect, delayed, digital, third-party, or exit-based boundaries when appropriate.

Adaptations & accessibility

• Offer text-message, email, gesture, and support-person versions.
• Practice with fictional or low-stakes examples first.
• Provide communication cards or AAC-ready sentence components.

Review considerations

Enhanced licensed-specialist safeguarding review required before use. Do not use a script exercise as a substitute for individualized safety assessment in abuse, coercion, stalking, or serious power imbalance.