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Safety Plans

Planning for your safety

If you are a victim of family violence your safety is a priority. Developing a safety plan is important if you are in relationship with someone who uses violent or controlling behaviours toward you; or if you are preparing to leave that relationship; or when you have left and are living safely after separation. You may have other people to include in your safety plan, such as your children or extended family members.

You can contact a family violence service for assistance with making a safety plan or you can do you own. Remember to be mindful of your safety while preparing a safety plan.

For a copy of a Safety Plan in Easy English please click here to download.

Some of the things you will need to think about for a Safety Plan are:

1. Emergency contact numbers:

  Police  OOO
  24/7 Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre  9322 3555  1800 015 188

2. A trusted person who knows about the family violence and can help you eg a friend, neighbour, or family member.
How are you going to tell that person you need help?

  Have code word for help
  Keep their number in your mobile phone

3. Identify a safe place to go and how to get there in an emergency:

  This could be a trusted person, family or 24/7 police stations
  Rehearse an escape plan

4. Money:

  Where can you access money in an emergency?
  Keep some cash handy
  Banking details
  ATM/Credit cards

5. Mobile phone:

  If possible get a new phone
  Be wary of phones that the perpetrator of family violence has had access too. This includes phones given to children
  Use the block my number feature on yours and your children’s phone
  Use the Caller ID feature
  Regularly clear the recently dialled number log
  Dial a “safe” number after contacting family violence services if using a land line
  Phone charger
  A phone card

6. Technology:

  Use a computer the perpetrator of family violence does not have access to
  Create a new email or instant messaging accounts
  Change passwords & pin numbers
  Be aware of the risk of sharing information in online networks
  Use the safety features on family violence websites that prevent the tracing of viewed pages
  Talk to children, friends and family about online safety
  Be wary of opening attachments & links by unknown sources or the perpetrator of family violence
  www.dvrcv.org.au/knowledge-centre/technology-safety

7. Important paperwork:

  Centrelink card
  Medicare card
  Intervention Order
  Licence
  Birth certificate
  Passport
  Marriage certificate
  Citizenship papers
  Other legal papers
     Mortgage
     Rental agreement
     Insurance policies
     Will
     Tax File Number
  Keep spare copies of these documents in a sealed plastic container with your trusted person

8. Clothing:

  Clothing packed for an emergency

9. Medication:

  Current medication
  Prescription/s

10. Spare set of keys:

  House keys
  Car keys
  Office keys

11. If you have children:

  Clothing packed for an emergency
  Toys and books
  A favourite comfort toy
  Any medication they may need
  Bottles, dummies
  Intervention Orders or Family Court Orders for the children
  Do they need their own safety plan?

12. If you have pets:

  The pet
  Any pet care things

13. If you have a disability what are your special needs?

Consider and address any barriers that might prevent you from implementing your safety plan

Remember to regularly renew your safety plan.