Safety Planning

Effective safety planning is essential to getting out of a domestic violence situation. Here are some basic safety techniques. Please see our “create your own safety plan” page to complete your own safety plan.

 

Safety at Home – If you and your abuser get into a fight, move to a room that has a phone, door, or window. Stay away from the bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere near weapons.

 

Phone Numbers – Keep a shelter’s phone number, some change, or a calling card on you at all times for emergency phone calls.

 

Get Away Bag – Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, and extra clothes with someone you trust so you can leave quickly.

 

Children – Talk to your children about your safety plan. Teach them about 911, including how and when to call the police.

 

School and Child Care – Tell your children’s teacher and child care provider who can pick up your children. Talk to your children about who they should tell if they see your abuser.

 

Order for Protection – Always keep your protection order with you. Make extra copies to keep in your car, at work, in your purse, and at your children’s daycare or school.

 

Family and Friends – Tell trusted family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and your boss that you have a protective order.

 

Leaving Work – Make up a safety plan for when you leave work. Have someone walk you to your car or bus. Go home different ways. Plan for what you would do if your abuser follows you.

 

 

Creating Your Own Safety Plan

 

While in the relationship:

 

  • I will have important phone numbers available to my children and myself. Note: Age appropriate. You may have speed dial on your phone and only one button needs to be pushed to get 911 or a friend/neighbor.
  • I can tell________ and ___________ about the violence and ask them to call the police if they hear suspicious noises coming from my home.
  • If I leave my home, I can go (list 4 places): _________,___________,____________,
    _________.  For example: police station, public place, fire station, hospital, friend, relative, 24 hour store.
  • I can leave extra money, car keys, clothes, and copies of documents with __________.
  • If I leave, I will bring____________(see checklist).
  • To ensure safety and independence, I can: Keep change for phone calls with me at all times; open my own savings account; rehearse my escape route with a support person; and review safety plan on ____________(date).

 

When the relationship is over:

 

  • I can change the locks, install steel/metal doors, security system, smoke detectors and an outside lighting system.
  • I will inform __________ and _____________ that my partner no longer lives with me and ask them to call the police if s/he is observed near my home or my children. (i.e. neighbors, co-workers, daycare, school personnel, etc.)
  • I will tell people who take care of my children the names of those who have permission to pick them up. Those people are ___________,____________&_______________. Provide a picture if possible.
  • I can tell _____________at work about my situation and ask ______________  to screen my calls.
  • I can avoid stores, banks, clinics, pharmacies, the WIC office, and ______________that I  frequent with my abusive partner.
  • I can obtain a protective order from________________. I can keep it on or near me at all times, as well as leave a copy with ___________,_______________.
  • If I feel down and ready to return to a potentially abusive situation, I can call ______________ for support or attend workshops and support groups to gain support and strengthen my relationships with other people.

 

Important Phone Numbers:

 

Police____________________________________

Hotline___________________________________

Friends___________________________________

_________________________________________

Shelter____________________________________

 

Checklist Items to Take:

 

  • Identification
  • Birth Certificates for myself and children
  • Social Security Cards
  • School & Medical Records
  • Money, bankbooks, credit cards
  • Keys – house/car/office
  • Driver’s License/registration
  • Medications
  • Change of clothes
  • Welfare Identification
  • Passport, Green Card, Work permits
  • Divorce Papers
  • Lease/rental agreement
  • House Deed/mortgage payment book
  • Bills, Insurance Papers
  • Address Book
  • Pictures, jewelry, sentimental things
  • Children’s favorite toys, books