Safety Planning
TIP:
The Hotline.org has an interactive safety plan that you can personalize at: https://www.thehotline.org/plan-for-safety/create-a-safety-plan/
Also, you can contact the Florida State Hotline at 1-800-500-1119 to speak with an advocate about safety planning 24 hours a day.
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. Separation and Post Separation can often be the most dangerous time. Take special care when you leave. Keep being careful even after you have left.
Increasing My Safety in the Relationship
I will have important phone numbers available to my children and myself.
I can tell ____________________ and _________________ about the violence.
If I leave home, I can go to ________________________________.
I can leave money, car keys, clothes and documents with _______________________.
If I leave, I will bring ____________________________________________________.
I can arrange a signal system (code word) for dangerous situations.
I can keep my money separately stored, if possible.
I can rehearse my escape plan with my children and support person. Practice ways to get out.
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 (ie, taking out the trash, walking a pet or going to the store).
I can get an Injunction for Protection and keep it on me at all times.
I can keep a copy of the Injunction at/with ________________________________.
When I feel down and ready to return to a potentially abusive situation, I can (person to call, support group?)_______________________________________________________________.
Assess 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.
Try opening a bank account or getting a credit card in your name. Open a Post Office Box and have the statements for these sent to the box.
Are there weapons in the house? Is there a way to get them out of the house?
Put together a bag of things you use everyday (see checklist below). Hide it where it is easy for you to get.
Go over your safety plan often and make changes as necessary.
Increasing My Safety when the Relationship is Over
I can change the locks and secure my windows. Consider putting in stronger doors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, a security system, video cameras and outside lights.
I will tell (neighbors) _________________________ and ______________________ that my partner no longer lives with me – AND to call the police if s/he is near my residence.
I will tell the people who take care of my children that only ______________________ and __________________________ have permission to pick them up.
I can tell ____________________ at work about my situation. As someone to screen your calls, share a photo of your abuser and if safe a copy of your injunction with work. Put together a workplace safety plan which includes not only being at work but going to and from work.
I can avoid stores, banks and ________________________ which I used when I was in the relationship.
Get an injunction for protection.
Checklist Items for You and Your Children
(Keep safe, separate, and available)
Identification (Driver’s License)
Car Registration
Birth Certificates
Social Security Cards
Bankbook and Checks
Money and Credit Cards
Car and House Keys
Injunction/Divorce/Custody Papers
School/Medical Records
Lease/Mortgage Papers
Passports, green cards, work permits
Insurance Papers
Address Book
Medication
Extra Clothes
Address Book
Pictures, jewelry, things that mean a lot to you.
Items for your children (toys, blankets, etc.)
Extra emergency use cell phone
Technology Safety Planning
Use a safer computer that your abuser does not have access to.
Create new email or social media accounts.
Change Passwords and pin numbers.
Check your cell phone settings.
Minimize use of cordless phones or baby monitors.
Use a donated or new cell phone.
Get a private mailbox and do not give out your real address.
Ask agencies that publish records to the internet how they protect your records and if they can be sealed for your safety.
Search for your name on the internet (search engine) and see what information is open to the public.
Check your vehicle for GPS trackers (inside the car or outside/underneath the car.
Change passwords to wifi enabled devices, router, air conditioning, security cameras etc…