How to Create a Safety Plan

It can be dangerous to leave a situation of domestic violence. It is the time when victims are at the most risk of homicide. Ideally choosing to leave the situation is not a spur of the moment decision, but is instead planned out to reduce risk factors and ensure that the victim has the safest exit possible.

Here we talk you through the basics of making a safety plan for leaving a violent relationship, but we advise that you talk to a specialist as well.

What is a safety plan and why do I need it?

Leaving on the spur of the moment could mean that you forget important things, do not have a plan and risk your life. Instead making a safety plan ensures that you have all necessary documentation, items and a pre-planned safe place to go to. This reduces risk of harm and increases the chance of successfully leaving a violent situation. Whether you decide to leave your home at an organized time, or in a rush due to an escalation of violence, a safety plan means that you have everything you need prepared. Remember this is not an exhaustive list, and it is always better to plan with a specialist or a local organization that helps victims of domestic violence.

Ideas for creating a safety plan:

Pack important items in a bag for you and any children:

• Important documents e.g. birth certificates, passports, ID cards, housing documents, medical prescriptions
• Money
• Some clothing
• Chargers
• Medicine
• Hygiene items
• Sentimental items
• Your child’s favorite small toys

Store the bag in a safe place- in your home, your car, at work or with a trusted person

Give scans of important documents to trusted people

Keep your phone(s) charged and available

• Store the phone numbers of local women’s shelters and relevant services including legal aid or lawyers
• You could also contact these organizations in advance
• Get a pay-as-you go phone if your communications are monitored

Consider exit routes

• Avoid lockable rooms, the kitchen and garage as they can contain potential weapons such as knives or tools

Agree on signs with a neighbor or friend that indicate an emergency, that you need help or that you are planning on leaving. This could be:

• An object in a window
• An emoji
• A message

Consider where you are going to stay e.g. with friend, colleague, a refuge or women’s shelter

• Try not to stay with a friend whom your partner knows, or somewhere ‘obvious’ they would consider.

Prepare your children

• Practice the safety plan, or have them know how to call emergency services (providing full name, address and telephone number)

Think of the best time to leave

• Ideally a time when your partner will be out and unlikely to return

Open up a secret savings account and start depositing money into it

Plan what different situations could trigger leaving (e.g. an emergency situation) and all options

• How you will exit the house
• Where you will go
• How you will get there — do you need to put aside money or keys money for this mode of transport
• If injured, which medical practice will you visit — are you registered? Where will you go from there or who can meet you there

What to do after you leave:

• Block contact from the perpetrator and do not allow them into your new residence
• Change all passwords to all email addresses, bank accounts and social media.
• Talk to a lawyer- potentially to apply a restraining order or before contacting the police if it is not an emergency
• Contact a legal aid office
• Contact the police
• If you have children of school age, talk to their teachers, explain the situation and make clear who can or cannot pick them up from school.

If an abuser does not live with you but you are afraid to leave the relationship and need a safety plan consider:

• Blocking their number
• Informing the police, legal aid or charitable organizations and lawyers of the situation
• Consider a restraining order
• Change window and door locks, especially if they have a key
• Talk to neighbors/landlords and inform them of the situation- so they can call the authorities if they see your partner.

We Encourage hope that this has been helpful. Always consider reaching out to professional organizations or charities that can help you create a personalized safety plan that will work best for your situation. If you require a safety plan we hope that you are able to leave your situation safely soon and wish you the best of luck. Remember this situation is not your fault and you are strong, courageous and can do it!