Creating a Safety Plan

If you have experienced domestic violence, or are fearful a current or former partner may become abusive, we suggest you create a safety plan. Safety planning is designed to help you escape or find a safe place to hide if you are in danger of being harmed. Read a sample Safety Plan

Hiding or finding a safe haven

Depending on the situation, you many not be able to get away. If this is the case, you can find a place to hide until help arrives or they leave. This is a safe haven.

Getting away

Find escape routes for every room in your home and create a plan for work, school or other places you frequent. If you have children, how will you pick them up from school or daycare safely? Can you bring pets or is there someone can take care of them for you? Can family to help you or will your family be in danger if you have to leave? Who can you trust to help you?

Keep Your Plan Safe

You can think through your safety plan and keep it in your head, or you can choose to write and actual plan and keep it. It can be on paper, on a phone, in your computer. If you decide to write out a safety plan, be sure to keep it in a place where it won’t be found.

As possible, practice getting out and explore different routes to find safety. If you need to flee, you want to have a solid plan with many options so you can get away quickly.