A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave a relationship, or after you leave a relationship. It helps lower your risk of being hurt by an attacker/abuser. Everyone deserves to be safe, and to be in a healthy, supportive relationship. It is important to start to think of ways to keep yourself safe. While you can’t control the abusive behaviors of others, you can take action to keep yourself as safe as possible.

SAFETY DURING AN EXPLOSIVE INCIDENT

• Keep weapons like guns and knives locked away and as inaccessible as possible.
• Try to be in a place that has an exit and not a bathroom, kitchen or room that may contain weapons.
• Practice getting out of your home safely. Identify doors, windows, elevator, or stairwell to use.
• Decide where you will go and plan the easiest escape route if you ever have to leave home.
• Pack a bag and have it ready at a friends or relative’s house.
• Identify one or more neighbors you can tell about the violence, and ask them to call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.
• Devise a code word to use with your children, family, friends and neighbors when you need the police.
• Try not to wear scarves or long jewelry that could be used to strangle you or otherwise hurt you.
• Use your instincts and judgment. In some dangerous situations, give the abuser what they want to calm them down.
• If you are injured, go to a doctor or an emergency room and report what happened to you. Ask that they document your visit.

SAFETY IN YOUR OWN RESIDENCE

• If you stay in your home, lock your windows and change the locks on your doors as soon as possible.
• Replace wooden doors with steel or metal doors. Install security systems and motion sensitive lighting system if possible.
• Change your phone number and request an unlisted/unpublished number from the telephone company.
• Get Caller ID on your telephone so you can screen your calls.
• Develop a safety plan with your children for times when you are not with them.
• Inform your children’s school, day care, etc., about who has permission to pick up your children.
• Inform neighbors and the landlord that your partner no longer lives with you, and that they should call the police if they see him/her near your home.
• Never tell the abuser where you live. Never call the abuser from your home because the abuser may find out where you live.

Remember leaving your batterer is the most dangerous time!