Safety planning
We recommend you get specialist advice and support to develop a safety plan. Below are some tips you can read and consider in your planning.
If you are supporting someone you know who is in an abusive relationship, see the things they will need to think about below. Help them to seek assistance to set up a safety plan.
Pack an emergency bag
Pack an emergency bag to hide in a safe place in case you need to leave quickly, including items like:
- passports
- birth certificates
- keys to their home or car
- money
- medications
- clothes
- children’s toys
Work out a plan for leaving
Have a plan to leave in an emergency. This is important because it is difficult to think about these things quickly. Your plan should include:
- who to call
- where to go
- how to get there
Have a code word
If you have someone supporting you, agree on a code word to use if you are in danger. You can use it to signal them if you need urgent help.
Don't disclose the safety plan
Do not tell the person who is causing harm about the safety plan.
Support with safety planning
Where possible, you will have support from organisations to manage a safety plan. This is to ensure that you, or anyone else, are not exposed to further danger.