For many, the term “safety plan” inspires thoughts of a home evacuation map. While looking at a safety evacuation map, one may notice fire extinguishers, pet locations, stairwells, and emergency exits. There may even be a list of important items such as “wallet, keys, and cell phone.” This concept is a good starting point to consider on how to plan for evacuating a domestic violence situation.
The safety plan I would like to bring attention to is a planned list of actions a survivor of domestic abuse can take to help keep a victim safe from their abuser. This is especially helpful if a victim of domestic abuse still resides with their perpetrator. However, this kind of planning can be adapted to fit any form of urgent escape from a dangerous situation.
Often, to exit a domestic violence relationship one must also leave their home. A survivor may need several tools and resources to transition into a safer location. For example, if a victim of domestic abuse is ready to leave their abusive environment they may need a safety plan, phone numbers to domestic violence shelters, information on how to file charges against an abuser or information on how to obtain a protective order. By downloading the NCTCC Victim Services Mobile Application, you will receive information on how to access these types of resources and more. Visit nctcc.org/nctcc-app/ to download the NCTCC Victim Services Mobile App.
Safety Planning Brainstorming Exercise
If you need to leave an abusive relationship, here is an exercise you can do to better prepare for a safety plan and a safer exit. Here are important tips to remember:
- No one safety plan works for everyone. A safety plan should be made to best work for you and your home.
- If possible, always keep your keys and your purse in the same spot to support your ability to leave from the safest exit.
- Identify the emergency call button on your phone.
- Consider keeping an extra 911 cell phone in a safe location. This phone would be specifically used for dialing 911 in the instance that your phone was not available.
- If you have children or people you care for, consider identifying a secret and safe place to meet up in case you get separated after leaving.
Preparing While Living With the Abuser
Consider brainstorming the following questions to better prepare for a safety plan:
- What have you done in the past to keep yourself and your children more safe from domestic violence?
- What are ways that you and your family can be safe while living with an abuser?
- How can you exit safely from an abuser? Consider what parts of the house relationship tension builds, and consider the best escape routes for each of these locations…
- Who is a trusted person who you can ask for support to call 911? This could be someone in earshot of an argument, perhaps a neighbor, your children, or a roommate. Consider using a code word.
- What will you need to leave an abusive situation?
- What would you put in your go bag?
- Where would you want to keep your go bag? Is it better to keep this in your vehicle, at a neighbor or friends house, or somewhere else?
- Where is a safe place to store irreplaceable or difficult to replace items such as photographs, certificates, documents, keys, bank account information, family heirlooms, or cash?
Leaving the abuser
- Where would you go if you had to leave your home? Consider keeping a list of shelters and resources available to transition into a safer environment.
- What kinds of resources do you want immediately available to you after you leave your abuser? Consider shelter locations, advocates, law enforcement, legal resources, and protection orders.
- Where are low risk areas in your home? For example, the kitchen is likely a high risk area because many kitchen items can be used as weapons.
- If you notice tension building with an abuser, how can you transition the situation into a low risk area in your home?
- Is it possible to leave when your abuser is not at home or when they are asleep?
For a comprehensive safety plan please visit nctcc.org/nctcc-app/ to download the NCTCC Victim Services Mobile App. To locate the safety plan in the application click on the “Safety” Icon and then select “ Domestic Abuse Safety.”
