Nova Scotia Security Guard License Practice Exam 2026 - Free Security Guard License Practice Questions and Study Guide

The term for a situation where physical force is necessary to defend oneself is self-defense. This legal concept allows an individual to use reasonable force to protect themselves from imminent harm or danger. Self-defense is recognized in law as a valid justification for the use of force when a person feels threatened, provided the level of force used is proportional to the threat faced.

Understanding self-defense is crucial for security personnel, as it empowers them to respond appropriately in dangerous situations while adhering to legal and ethical standards. The other terms—retaliation, provocation, and justifiable force—do not specifically refer to the act of defending oneself against immediate harm. Retaliation implies revenge rather than the necessary response to a threat, provocation involves inciting a response rather than a defensive action, and justifiable force may be broader, encompassing various scenarios where force is permissible but not limited specifically to self-defense.