Safety Plan

Safety During an Argument

• Stay in an area with an exit and avoid letting the other person get between you and the exit.
• Practice getting out of your home safely.
• Avoid rooms with weapons, such as the kitchen.
• Have emergency 911 phones hidden throughout the home.
• Tell trustworthy neighbors about the violence. Ask them to call the police if they hear or see any disturbance.
• Devise a code word or signal to use with your family, friends, and trustworthy neighbors when you need the police.
• Trust your instincts and judgment. You have the right to protect yourself until you are out of danger.

Safety When Preparing to Leave

• Establish your independence. Open savings and credit card accounts in your name only and specifically instruct institutions that your partner is not to have access.
• Leave money, extra keys, copies of important documents, extra medicine and clothes with someone you trust so you can leave quickly.
• Determine safe people you can stay with and plan leaving with.
• Review and rehearse your safety plan.
• Keep a packed bag at a trusted relative’s or friend’s home.Plan where you will go if you have to leave.

Safety in Your Own Home

• Change the locks on your doors. (Landlords are legally obligated to change locks within 24 hrs. if you are experiencing DV).
• Install locks on your windows. (Renters check with your landlord first.)
• Inform neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and to call the police if they see him or her near your home.

Safety with a Restraining Order

• Keep your protective order on you at all times, and give a copy to a trusted neighbor, friend or family member.
• Call the police if your abuser violates the protective order.
• Think of alternative ways to keep safe if the police do not respond right away.
• Inform family, friends, neighbors and health care providers that you have a restraining order in effect.

Safety on the Job and in Public

• Decide who at work will inform of your situation, including building security.
• Provide a photo of your abuser for quick identification.
• Screen your telephone calls.
• Devise a safety plan for leaving work, such as exiting through the back door.
• Have someone escort you when leaving and wait with you until you are safely en route.
• Use a variety of routes to go home.
• Rehearse what you would do if something happened while going home.
• Create a safety routine when you arrive home: checking your house and property, checking in with someone to let them know you are safe, etc.

Internet and Computer Safety

• Remember that all computer and online activity may be monitored.
• It is safer to use a computer in a public library, at a trusted friend’s house, at an internet cafe, or any other public place.
• Abusers may also track your activity and whereabouts through your cell phone; if you think there is a chance this may be happening, take your phone into your provider and have it thoroughly checked.
• If your phone has been compromised and you get a new one, do NOT update your phone from iCloud.

Checklist: What You Should Take When You Leave

1. Restraining order/stalking order
2. Lease, rental agreement, house deed
3. Car registration
4. Health and life insurance cards
5. Divorce papers
6. Work permits/green card
7. VISA
8. House and car keys
9. Medications
10. Valuables, photos, etc.
11. Address book
12. Phone card/safe cell phone
13. Clothes, hygiene necessities, etc.
14. Driver’s license
15. Social security card
16. Self-sufficiency/disability identification

Other Resources

• Call 9-1-1 in any dangerous or emergency situation, or call 2-1-1 for community resources, as needed.
• Apply for an injunction for protection or other legal assistance at PBC Court Services (561) 355-4506.
• Call the FCADV hotline at 1-800-500-1119 for crisis intervention.
• Obtain emergency shelter or a safe house by contacting YWCA 1-800-973-YWCA or AVDA 1-800-355-8547 for assistance.
• Victim service agencies: AVDA 1-800-355-8547, YWCA 1-800-973-YWCA, PBC Victim Services 561-625-2568.
• Legal Aid Society of PBC (561) 655-8944 or toll free at (800) 403-9353.