top of page

What is a safety plan?

A safety plan is a personalized and practical plan to improve your safety while experiencing abuse, preparing to leave a violent situation, or after you leave. 
It includes pertinent information tailored to your unique situation and will help you prepare for and respond to different scenarios, including telling your friends and family, coping with emotions, and various resources suited to your individual circumstances. 
This safety plan is intended to be created in advance and ready to be set in motion if you’re in high-stress situations and moments of crisis.

How do I create a safety plan?

Review the sections below and consider your options with accuracy and honesty. You can jot information down on paper, or somewhere safe where you can access it quickly in a crisis.

Basics

Whom do you live with?  Do you attend school or university?        Are you currently employed? Do you have children (or currently pregnant?)

Home

Have you told someone in your family about your relationship? What word or phrase can you use as a code in a phone call, text, or instant message to ask your family, friends, or neighbors to call for help without your partner knowing? During times when you are home alone, who can stay with you if you don't want to be alone? If you are not comfortable being at home, where else could you go to stay safe? Does anyone else live in the home with you who is potentially reporting your activity back to your partner? (In some cultures, it's common to have siblings or parents who live in the same home) Do you have a Protection Order against your partner? If you need to leave your home in an emergency, what is a safe public place where you could go? If you need to leave your house quickly, which items would you need to take with you?  Identification: Driver's license, birth certificates, school ID, workplace ID, immigration documents Important documents: Birth certificates for you and your children, health insurance cards, marriage certificate Cell phone and charger Medication Cash, debit or credit cards House keys Car keys A change of clothes Comfort items: Photograph, blanket, stuffed animals, keepsakes Baby and children's items: Formula, diapers, wipes, change of clothes Copy of your Protection or Restraining Order

School and Work

If you need to avoid seeing your partner on your way to or from school and work, what route can you take to get you there safely? (This should be a different route than you usually take) Have you told someone at school or your workplace about your relationship? Does your partner work at the same place? Whom can you spend time with between classes, or on a break, so that you are not alone? If you need to leave school or work immediately, whom can you call to pick you up or to meet you?​

Technology

Do you have and use a cell phone? Has your partner ever checked your outgoing calls, text messages or browsing history on your cell phone or electronic device? Do you use social networking sites? Has your partner ever sent you an abusive email, text message, or voicemail? Have you shared passwords to your online accounts with your partner? (Facebook, email, online banking) Does a trusted friend or family member have access to your online accounts? Has your partner ever pretended to be you online? Have you ever sent your partner private photos of yourself? Do you have cameras in or around your home that your partner can access remotely?

Partner

Who could you call or text to let them know where you are going with your partner? If you were stranded and needed a ride home, whom can you call to pick you up or meet you? What word or phrase can you use as a code in a phone call, text, or instant message to ask your family or friends to call for help without your partner knowing? If you decide to end your relationship, where can you do it safely? (This can be a public space, or in the presence of people you trust) Whom can you call to talk with afterward?

Children

Who could watch your children if you need childcare in an emergency? Do your children know how to call 911? What word or phrase can you use as a code between you and your children to let them know that they need to call for help? Where is a safe place that your children could go if in danger? (This may be a room in your home, a neighbor's home, or the local police station. If able, it should be somewhere that your children can go safely by themselves)

Emotional

Does your partner say or do things to make you feel down on yourself? What are some activities that you enjoy doing? When you are feeling down, whom can you call or speak with to cheer you up? (This should be someone other than your partner) Does your partner threaten to reveal information about you in a hurtful or embarrassing way?

My plan is complete. What's next?

Once completed, be sure to keep it in an accessible and secure location. You might consider giving a copy of your plan to someone that you trust.
If you're unable to keep a printed copy or emergency contact card with you, try to memorize at least one phone number or contact method of someone you can call at any time. 

​The person causing harm may realize they are losing control over you and react violently. If possible, leave when they are gone and do not tell them that you are leaving. In these scenarios, it's helpful to have a "go-bag" ready. 

Trust your judgment and weigh your options before taking any steps. ​​​

What should be in my "go-bag"?

A "go-bag" is a useful tool to have prepared and stored safely. It will consist of your important documents and comfort items that you may need or want. When assembling your bag, keep in mind that once you leave, you may not be able to come back and get the remainder of your items. With that in mind, gather your necessary things, while trying to keep your bag light and easy to carry.
Keep it safely hidden in a place where it won't alert your abuser that you might be trying to leave, but in a place where you will remember and can grab it quickly. If you don't have a safe place, ask a trusted friend or family member to hold onto your bag. 
Your bag should include the following items:
Necessary

  • Driver's License or ID Card

  • Passport

  • Health care card

  • Birth Certificates

  • Social Insurance Card

  • Status card

  • Copies of custody orders, restraining orders, and court orders such as Emergency Protection Orders

  • Immigration or work permits and visas

  • Marriage license or Divorce certificate

  • Cash, debit card or credit card (consider if your partner has access to your banking)

  • Medication


Considerations

  • Recent photos of you, your children and your partner

  • Keys

  • Extra clothing for you and your kids

  • Address book with contacts

  • Baby food, formula and diapers

  • Jewelry

  • Technology devices (consider if your location services are on and trackable)

"I don't think we talk enough about the in betweens. The part when you know you want to change something but don't yet know how, don't yet feel strong enough, don't yet know what your first step is. So to the people in the in betweens, please don't be disheartened, please don't give up. You've done the hard part; now, just take it one small step at a time."
-Allyislia

This website is not intended to provide legal advice and should only be used for informational purposes. If you require legal services, you should consult a lawyer.

bottom of page