Safety Planning

When to use a Safety Plan

Safety plans can be made for a variety of situations: dealing with an emergency, such as when you are threatened with a physical assault or an assault has occurred; for continuing to live with or to date a partner who has been abusive; or for protecting yourself after you have ended a relationship with an abusive partner.

Use what you already know

If you are a woman who has been abused, you probably know more about safety planning and risk assessment than you might realize. Being in a relationship with an abusive partner—and surviving—requires considerable skill and resourcefulness. Any time you do or say something as a way to protect yourself or your children, you are assessing risk and enacting a safety plan. You do it all the time; it’s just not always a conscious process.

Think it through

It can be a helpful safety strategy to evaluate risks and make safety plans in a more intentional way. Whether you are currently with your partner or have ended the relationship, and whether you choose to use available services or to involve the police, there are certain things that are helpful to consider in planning for your future safety.

Be aware of dangers

If you are planning to leave your partner or already have left, be aware that batterers often escalate their violence during times of separation, increasing your risk for harm, including serious and life-threatening injury. Making a separation safety plan can help reduce the risks to you and your children.

Evaluate your options

Only you can judge who it’s safe to tell about your situation and who to ask for help. Sometimes, people who don’t have good information about domestic violence respond to women who have been abused in ways that aren’t helpful, even when they mean well. On the other hand, you might feel comfortable asking for help from someone you know. It’s your decision. The important thing is for you to identify all the  people who might be willing and able to help you. Make a list of their phone numbers and attach it to your safety plan for easy reference.

Plan Ahead

You don’t have to wait for an emergency to ask for help. In fact, it’s a good idea to talk to people who can help before there’s a crisis. Find out what they are willing and able to do for you. That way, you’ll know in advance if you have a place to stay, a source of financial assistance or a safe person to keep copies of important papers.

Reduce your risk

No woman has control over her partner’s violence, but women can and do find ways to reduce their risk of harm. The following safety plan is a tool to help you identify and evaluate your options and assist you in creating a personalized plan to reduce your risk when confronted with the threat of harm or with actual harm. Use what applies or change it to reflect your particular situation. Your safety plan does not need to be written down, though you may choose to. There’s no right or wrong way to develop a safety plan. Make it your own, and review it regularly to make changes as needed.

Safety plans may help you anticipate the dangers you may face. Just as abusers continually shift their tactics of power and control, your safety plan is an adaptable tool to help keep you safe in your ever-changing situation.