(Reproduced with kind permission of the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast – see link to their site in the “Information and Links” section).
Keeping yourself and your children safe whether you are still in the relationship or have left is vital. Preparing a safety plan today, might help you and your children if there is a risk of violence in the future.
Leaving a relationship safely and remaining safe can be organised more effectively if you have a safety plan ready. Keep your plan and any associated paper work hidden from your partner.
A Safety Plan
If you think that violence might be going to start or has started;
• Leave the situation if possible.
• Identify areas of the house where you cannot become trapped, where there are windows and doors
and no weapons.
• Know the easiest escape routes from the house; doors, windows etc.
• Have spare car key hidden, with money for transport/phone outside house.
• Plan where you will go in advance.
• Identify a neighbour you can tell about the violence and ask them to call the police if they hear a
disturbance coming from your house. Develop some sort of a code or signal between you where they will
know you are in danger.
• Teach your children to phone 000 and practice what to say.
• If it is safe (ie he is not there) call our 24 Hour Crisis Service number (1800 015 188)
• Call the Police as soon as it is safe to report the incident. The police can also arrange safe
accommodation for you and your children.
It is essential for children who live in violent homes to have a simple safety plan so they know what to do when domestic violence is occurring, this could include:
• Warning children to stay out of the conflict.
• Decide ahead of time on a safe place the children can go when they feel unsafe.
• Teach children how to use police and other emergency phone numbers.
A plan to leave the relationship as safely as possible
• Plan where you could go to be safe such as friends, family or a women’s refuge, always try to take the
children with you.
• Keep a small amount of cash to make emergency calls, key cards, house keys, essential medications
and important papers together in a place where you can get them quickly or have someone else retrieve
them. You may wish to have a copy of these left with someone you trust.
• If you do leave you can always request police to accompany you back to the house to retrieve your
personal possessions. Do not put your safety at risk to retrieve property or possessions.
• Make your own list of personal papers you need to take with you.
• Ask your doctor to carefully note any evidence of injuries on your patient records.
• Only tell friends and family you are sure you can trust of your plans.
• Contact our service or a local outreach service to work with you on a safety plan.
CAUTION!
Leaving can be the most dangerous time
Always consider your safety when planning to leave |
Staying safe after separation:
• Inform your children’s school or child care centre who has permission to collect your children, if you have
family court orders a copy may be left with the school.
• Arrange for your mail to be redirected to a post office box instead of your new address.
• Consider reviewing your banking and postal arrangements.
• If possible try not to frequent places where you used to go.
• Increase security on your home by installing outside sensor lights.
• Plan for extra safety between where you park your car and entering your home.
• Change the locks on your house and ensure the windows are secure. Have security chains fitted to all
entry doors.
• Keep a mobile phone with you at all times and pre-program any numbers you might need in an
emergency; including the Police and our 24 Hour Crisis Service number.
• Vary your travel routes to and from work.
• Tell neighbours that your partner does not live with you and ask them to call the police if he is seen near
your house, or if they hear an assault occurring.
• Tell your employer that you have an intervention order, or that you are afraid of your ex partner, and ask for
your telephone calls at work to be screened.
• If your ex partner breaches the intervention order, telephone the Police and report the breach.
• Contact the Australian Electoral Commission and ask for your name and address to be excluded from
the published electoral role.
