Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and heard in their care environment. When personal or professional boundaries are crossed, it hurts trust and can make receiving support stressful rather than helpful. Protecting your boundaries is an important part of your care, and you have the right to decide what feels comfortable for you and what doesn't.
What steps can you take to maintain your boundaries?
Communicate Your Boundaries
- Let staff know what kinds of touch, conversation topics, and interactions are okay and not okay for you. By sharing this information, you help others to honor your physical, social, and emotional boundaries. Your comfort matters.
- Take part in programs and activities that are designed to help you practice and build healthy boundaries.
- If someone crosses a line or makes you uncomfortable, say something or ask a trusted friend or advocate to help you speak up. It is your right to do so.
Advocate for Stronger Support
You also have the power to help shape how your agency handles boundaries.
- Ask your staff and others who may be in a position of leadership what they are doing to make sure everyone understands and maintains healthy and professional boundaries.
- Check whether your support or treatment plans include your personal boundary needs. You deserve a say in updating those needs and your care goals.
- Encourage regular meetings where people receiving services, families, and staff can discuss how to keep boundaries strong and safe. The Justice Center offers professional boundaries training that can help staff create safer care environments.
Remember, you can always report abuse or neglect to the Justice Center’s 24/7 hotline by calling 1-855-373-2122 or by filling out our online webform.
Learn more about professional boundaries in the Justice Center’s prevention toolkit.
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