Safety plans are personalized strategies to help keep yourself protected and to reduce the potential for harm. You can call our HelpLine to speak directly with an advocate who can assist you in creating a safety plan that best suits your needs.
If you are planning to leave:
1. Have a bag packed somewhere safe. Keep it handy in case you need to leave quickly, or leave it with a trusted neighbor, friend or relative. You may want to include:
3. Know how to quickly get out of your house.
4. Plan where you will go if you have to leave.
Cell phones and safety:
Cell phones have the capability to call 911 even if they are disconnected. If you need an emergency phone, our Community Service Center provides free cell phones, based on availability, that can be used to call 911. You can stop by during regular business hours to speak to an advocate to determine eligibility and inventory.
Safety at work:
Safety with your children:
If you are planning to leave:
1. Have a bag packed somewhere safe. Keep it handy in case you need to leave quickly, or leave it with a trusted neighbor, friend or relative. You may want to include:
- Copies of any legal or important documents like birth certificates, social security cards or parenting plans
- An extra set of keys to house and vehicle
- Money, if possible
- Clothing
- Prescribed medication and, if you have children, their medical prescriptions.
3. Know how to quickly get out of your house.
4. Plan where you will go if you have to leave.
Cell phones and safety:
Cell phones have the capability to call 911 even if they are disconnected. If you need an emergency phone, our Community Service Center provides free cell phones, based on availability, that can be used to call 911. You can stop by during regular business hours to speak to an advocate to determine eligibility and inventory.
Safety at work:
- Tell someone at your work about your situation. It’s your right to request and expect confidentiality.
- Provide a picture of the abuser, if possible; office security may be available.
- Make a safety plan for when you enter and leave work; have someone escort you to your vehicle.
- Your schedule should be kept confidential by your employer. Make sure others know that by explaining to front desk workers or other coworkers that information about you should never be given out to anyone that comes in and asks about you.
Safety with your children:
- Talk with your children. Chances are they know something is going on. Find a way to explain the situation to them in an age-appropriate way.
- Teach them to use the phone to call 911. Talk with them about how they can stay safe if they ever feel in danger or see something dangerous.
- Talk with your children’s schools and childcare provider. Provide a picture of the abuser. Talk with them about how you will work together to protect your children.
- Create a code word to use so that information about the children and/or pick-ups cannot be arranged without it.
