Creating a Safety Plan for Survivors of Domestic Violence: Tips for Staying Safe in Abusive Relationships and Beyond
Leaving an abusive relationship can be incredibly difficult and dangerous, but having a safety plan in place can help increase your chances of staying safe. Here are some tips to consider when creating a safety plan:
Trust your instincts: If you feel unsafe or threatened, trust your instincts and take action to protect yourself.
Identify safe spaces: Identify safe spaces in your community where you can go in case of an emergency. This could include a friend or family member's house, a domestic violence shelter, or a public space like a library or park.
Secure your home: If you're still living with your abuser, take steps to secure your home. Change the locks on your doors and windows, install a security system, and consider getting a restraining order.
Have an emergency bag packed: Pack an emergency bag with clothes, cash, and any medications you need. Keep the bag in a safe and easily accessible place.
Create a code word: Create a code word with a friend or family member that you can use to signal for help in case of an emergency.
Reach out for help: Don't be afraid to reach out for help. Contact your local domestic violence hotline or a support organization for resources and support.
Plan different escape routes from your house in case your partner becomes violent, and plan where you would go if you needed to stay away overnight.
Keep important documents handy: Hide spare car keys and important documents (such as birth certificates and health cards) in safe places where you can quickly grab them and leave quickly.
Stay away from dangerous places: Try to get out of dangerous places during arguments, such as leaving the kitchen where there are knives or other sharp objects the abuser could use to assault you.
Take care of yourself: Prioritize your physical and emotional well-being. Seek out counseling or therapy to help cope with the trauma of abuse.
It is important to note that having a safety plan is also crucial even if you do not plan to leave your abusive partner at this point. If your partner has demonstrated a capacity for violence or you suspect they do, there is every reason to start planning now for how you will keep yourself and your loved ones safe should a dangerous situation arise in the future. Seek support and resources to help you through this difficult time, and know that there is help available to you whenever you are ready to leave the relationship. Remember, you deserve to live a life free from violence and abuse.
If you do plan to leave your abusive partner, there are additional items you can add to your safety plan, such as:
Change the locks on your home.
Inform neighbors, coworkers, and school administrators of the potential danger and provide them with a photograph of the abuser and other information, including a copy of your restraining order if you have one.
Teach your children how to dial 911 from home and cell phones.
Vary the routes that you and your children travel.
If you plan to involve the court, such as seeking a restraining order, contact a court advocate if one is available, and develop an additional safety plan with the advocate that specifically addresses how you can most safely use the court process. If you do obtain a restraining order, keep a copy on your person at all times and leave additional copies in your home, vehicles, and workplace.
Leaving an abusive relationship is never easy, but having a safety plan in place can help increase your chances of staying safe. Seek support and resources to help you through this difficult time, and know that there is help available to you whenever you are ready to leave the relationship.
