What is a Safety Plan?
Making a safety plan involves identifying the steps you can take to increase your safety and helps to prepare you and your children in advance for the possibility of further violence.
This plan was adapted from information provided in several Domestic Violence/Woman Abuse Safety Plans.
My Personal Safety Plan
While I do not have control over my abuser’s violence, I can make myself and my children safer by planning actions that will help us deal with the abuse.
I will use this plan as a guide and reminder to help me find ways to be safe. If I am concerned that my abuser will find a printout, I will write the points I believe apply to me on a separate piece of paper and hide it in a safe place.
I will review and update this plan on a regular basis so that I will be ready in case my situation changes.
What I Can Do Before a Violent Incident
If I believe my partner will be violent, there are a number of things I can think about in advance.
I can prepare to leave by doing some of the following things:
1) I will keep a suitcase, box or bag ________________________________ where I can get to it quickly and easily. In it, I will keep as many of the following items as I can:
- An extra set of keys for the apartment or house and vehicle
- Small bills and change for taxis and telephone call
- Identification papers – passport, social insurance card, birth certificates, immigration papers, citizenship card, aboriginal status card
- Driver’s licence and registration
- Health cards and children’s immunization records for myself and my children
- Divorce and custody papers
- Restraining orders, peace bonds, any other court orders
- Bank books, cheque book, credit cards, mortgage or loan papers
- Lease/rental agreement, property deed, business or partnership agreements, rent or mortgage payment receipts
- Address book
- Photograph of my (ex) partner to help identify him/her
- A list of other items I can pick up later
2) I can keep my purse, wallet, personal identification, keys and other emergency items __________________ in case I have to leave suddenly.
3) I can open a separate bank account in my name at _______________. I will request that any statements be sent to _______________ so that my abuser doesn’t see them.
4) I can also check to see how much money is in our joint account in case I need to remove half the money quickly. If my abuser knows my account or PIN number, I will ____________________________________.
5) I can help my children escape by telling them _______________________________. I will teach them the number of the local police _________________ and other emergency numbers such as _____________________.
6) I will review and revise my safety plan every ____________________________.
You can call Genevra House at 705-674-2210 to speak with a worker about your safety plan or call the Assaulted Women’s Helpline (English) at 1-866-863-0511 or Fem’Aide (French) at 877-336-2433 anytime of the day.