Personalised Safety Plan
Your safety is the most important thing. Listed below are tips to help keep you safe. The resources in this book can help you to make a safety plan that works best for you. It is important to get help with your safety plan. Many of the resources listed here can help you.

If you are in an abusive relationship, think about...
Having important phone numbers nearby for you and your children. Numbers to have are the police, hotlines, friends and Women's Aid.

Friends or neighbours you could tell about the abuse. Ask them to call the police if they hear angry or violent noises. If you have children, teach them how to dial 999. Make up a code word that you can use when you need help.

How to get out of your home safely. Practice ways to get out.

Safer places in your home where there are exits and no weapons. If you feel abuse is going to happen try to get your abuser to one of these safer places.

Any weapons in the house.

Think about ways that you could get them out of the house.

Even if you do not plan to leave, think of where you could go. Think of how you might leave. Try doing things that get you out of the house - taking out the rubbish, walking the pet or going to the shops. Put together a bag of things you use everyday (see the checklist below). Hide it where it is easy for you to get.

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Go over your safety plan often.

Women's Aid can help with this and be ready to take
you and your children into safe accommodation.

If you consider leaving your abuser, think about...

Four places you could go if you leave your home.
People who might help you if you left.
Think about people who will keep a bag for you.
Think about people who might lend you money.
Make plans for your pets.
Keeping change for phone calls or top up cards for a mobile phone..
Opening a bank account or getting a credit card in your name.
Putting together a bag of things you use everyday. Hide it where it is easy for you to get.

How you might leave.
Try doing things that get you out of the house - taking out the rubbish, walking the family pet, or going to the shop. Practice how you would leave.

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How you could take your children with you safely.
There are times when taking your children with you may put all of your lives in danger. You need to protect yourself to be able to protect your children.

Here is a checklist of items to take if you do leave
ITEMS TO TAKE, IF POSSIBLE
 Children (if it is safe)
 Money
 Keys to car, house, work
 Extra clothes
 Medicine
 Important papers for you and your children
 Birth certificates
 Social security cards
 School and medical records
 Bankbooks, credit cards
 Driver's license
 Car registration
 DHSS identification
 Passports.
 Lease/rental agreement
 Mortgage payment book, unpaid bills
 Insurance papers
 Divorce papers, custody orders
 Marriage certificate
 Address book
 Pictures, jewellery, things that mean a lot to you
 Items for your children (toys, blankets, etc.)

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If you have left your abuser, think about...

Your safety - you still need to.

Change the locks. Consider putting in stronger doors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, a security system and outside lights.

Tell friends and neighbours that your abuser no longer lives with you. Ask them to call the police if they see your abuser near your home or children.

Tell people who take care of your children the names of people who are allowed to pick them up.

Tell someone at work about what has happened. Ask that person to screen your calls. Think about and practice a safety plan for your workplace. This should include going to and from work.

Don't use the same shops or businesses that you did when you were with your abuser.

Call someone if you feel down.

Safe way to speak with your abuser if you must.

Going over your safety plan often.

WARNING:
Abusers try to control their victim's lives. When abusers feel a loss of control - like when victims try to leave them - the abuse often gets worse. Take special care when you leave. Keep being careful even after you have left.

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