Safety Plan

from Florida Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-500-1119

Information and Referral

SAFETY DURING AN EXPLOSIVE INCIDENT

If an argument seems unavoidable, try to have it in a room or area that has access to an exit and not in a bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere near weapons.
Practice how to get out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevator, or stairwell would be best.
Have a packed bag ready and keep it in order to leave quickly.
Identify a neighbor you can call and tell about the violence and ask that they call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.
Devise a code word to use with your children, family, friends, and neighbors when you need the police.
Decide and plan for where you will go if you have to leave home (even if you don't think will will need to).
Use your own instincts and judgment. If the situation is very dangerous, consider giving abusers what they want to calm them down. You have the right to protect yourself until you are out of danger.

Always remember: YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE HIT OR THREATENED!

Open a savings account in your own name to start to establish or increase your independence. Think of other ways in which you can increase your independence.
Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, and extra clothes with someone so you can leave quickly.
Determine who would be able to let you stay with them or lend you some money.
Keep the domestic violence center phone number close at all times and keep some change or a calling card on you at all times for emergency phone calls.
Review your safety plan as often as possible in order to plan the safest way to leave your batterer.
73% of batterers were abused as children and 60% of boys who witness violence in the home grow up to abuse their adult mates (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence).

LEAVING YOUR BATTERER IS THE MOST DANGEROU.S. TIME!

Change the locks on your doors as soon as possible. Buy additional locks and safety devices to secure your windows.
Discuss a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.
Inform your children's school, day care, etc., about who has permission to pick up your children.
Inform the neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see him near your home.

Keep your protective order on you at all times.
Call the police if your partner breaks the protective order.
Think of alternative ways to keep safe if the police do not respond right away.
Inform family, friends, and neighbors that you have a protective order in effect.

Decide who at work you will inform of your situation. This should include office or building security (provide a picture of your batterer if possible).
Arrange to have someone screen your telephone calls if possible.
Devise a safety plan for when you leave work. Have someone escort you to your car, bus, or train. Use a variety of routes to go home if possible. Think about what you would do if something happened while going home (i.e. in your car, on the bus, etc.).

If you are thinking of returning to a potentially abusive situation, discuss an alternative plan with someone you trust.
If you have to communicate with your partner, determine the safest way to do so.
Have positive thoughts about yourself and be assertive with others about your needs.
Read books, articles, and poems to help you feel stronger.
Decide who you can call to talk freely and openly to give you the support you need.
Plan to attend a victim's or survivor's support group for at least 2 weeks to gain support from others.

Decide which friend, teacher, relative, or police officer you can tell.
Contact a teen advocate at the local domestic violence center to talk about the situation and safety.
Have positive thoughts about yourself and be assertive with others about your needs.
Read books, articles, and poems to help you feel stronger.
Decide who you can call to talk freely and openly to give you the support you need.
Plan to attend a victim's or survivor's support group for at least 2 weeks to gain support from others.

___ Identification

___ Driver's license

___ Children's birth certificates

___ Your birth certificate

___ Money

___ Lease, rental agreement, house deed

___ Bank books

___ Checkbooks

___ Insurance papers

___ House and car keys

___ Medications

___ Small saleable items

___ Address book

___ Pictures

___ Medical records of all family members

___ Social Security card

___ Welfare identification

___ School records

___ Work permits

___ Green cards

___ Passport

___ Divorce papers

___ Jewelry

___ Children's small toys

___ Other
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________