Is speaking on behalf of a peer who lacks knowledge considered a common Peer Support Technique?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends on the situation
• D. Only when the peer requests it

Answer: (B)

Speaking on behalf of a peer who lacks knowledge goes against the core aim of peer support: to empower the individual to share their own needs, preferences, and decisions. A peer supporter should facilitate understanding, provide information in accessible terms, ask clarifying questions, and help the peer articulate what they want. By staying in a facilitative role rather than speaking for the peer, you support their self-determination and confidence to advocate for themselves. While there may be rare, exceptional cases involving surrogate decision-making, these are not the standard approach in peer support and should not be the default practice. Therefore, this is not considered a common Peer Support Technique.