What is a Safety Plan?
A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan to improve your safety while experiencing abuse, preparing to leave an abusive relationship, or for after you leave. It can be difficult to plan for your safety when living in a chaotic, violent environment but our advocates are here to help you walk through scenarios and identify ways to protect yourself and your children.
Safety Plan Considerations
- Filing for divorce, attempting to leave a dangerous relationship, or filing for a personal protection order are often the most dangerous times for survivors.
- Important documents are difficult to replace. Gather your (and your children’s) birth certificate, social security card, and other important documents and keep in a safe space.
- Ask a friend or family member to hang on to a go bag for you.
- Belongings are replaceable – your life is not.
- Technology can decrease a survivor’s safety by providing abusers with location information and remote access to personal info.
- Explore ways to change your daily routines to protect your location after leaving.
Contact our 24/7 Helpline (906-524-7078) to have a trained advocate help you prepare a personalized safety plan or use the interactive safety planning tool by the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
