British Columbia (BC) Security Guard License Practice Exam

In the case of an assault, when can force be used in self-defense?

1. If the person has provoked the assailant

2. If the person is unlawfully assaulting you

3. If the force used is intended to harm

4. If the attacker is known

The correct answer is: If the person is unlawfully assaulting you

Force can be used in self-defense when an individual is unlawfully assaulting you. This principle is grounded in the understanding that self-defense is a legal right designed to protect individuals from imminent harm. The key elements that justify the use of force in self-defense include an immediate threat of unlawful aggression and the necessity to protect oneself from that aggression. When someone is unlawfully assaulting you, the law recognizes the right to defend oneself adequately to prevent injury. The self-defense response must be proportionate to the threat; however, the primary condition that legitimizes the use of force is that the assault is unlawful and poses an immediate danger to your safety. In contrast, options that focus on provoking the assailant or knowing the attacker do not pertain to the justification for self-defense. The intention to harm or whether the attacker is known does not validate the use of defensive force; rather, it must be based on the unlawful nature of the assault itself.