General Safety

What is Safety Plan?

If you are in a violent relationship, one of the most important steps you can take is to make a safety plan both for home, and the workplace (or school place). These plans contain simple but critical steps you can take to increase your safety while you deal with the violence you face in your personal life.


My Personal Safety Plan

The following steps are my plans for increasing my safety and preparing to protect myself in case of further abuse.

Although I can’t control my abuser’s violence, I do have a choice about how I respond and how I get to safety.  I will decide for myself if and when I will tell others that I have been abused, or that I am still at risk.  Friends, family and co-workers can help protect me, if they know what is happening, and what they can do to help.

To increase my safety, I can do some or all of the following:

1.    When I have to talk to my abuser in person, I can:


2.    When I talk to my abuser on the phone/computer/TTY/Videophone, I can:


3.    I will make up a “code word” for my family, co-workers, or friends, so they know when to call for help for me. My code word is:


4.    When I feel a fight is coming on, I will try to move to a place that is lowest risk for getting hurt such as:


Or (at work):



Or (at home):



Or (in public):


5.    I can tell my family, co-workers, boss, or a friend about my situation. I feel safe telling:


6.    I can use an answering service or ask my co-workers, friends, or other family to screen my calls and visitors. I have the right not to receive harassing messages. I can ask

•    To help screen (at home):

•    To help screen (at work):


7.    I can call any of the following people for assistance or support if necessary, and can ask them to call the police if they see my abuser bothering me.
•    Friend:
•    Relative:
•    Co-worker:
•    Counselor:
•    Shelter:
•    Other:

8.    When leaving work, I can:


9.    When walking, riding, or driving home, if problems occur, I can:


10.    I can attend a support group for women who have been abused. Support groups are held at:


11.    Telephone numbers I need to know:
•    Police/Sheriff’s Department:
•    Probation officer:
•    Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault Program:
•    Counselor:
•    Clergy Person:
•    Attorney:
•    Other: