Developing a Safety Plan
What is a Personal Safety Plan?*
A personal safety plan is a way of helping you to protect yourself and your children. It helps you plan in advance for the possibility of future violence and abuse, and can increase your and your children’s safety if you decide to leave the relationship. Here are some things to think about when developing your personal safety plan:
- Plan in advance how you might respond in different situations, including crisis situations. Think about the different options that may be available to you.
- Keep with you any important and emergency telephone numbers (for example, the number of the Women’s Resource Centre and the number of the Bermuda Police Service Domestic Violence Liaison Officer). Make sure your children know who to call in an emergency. Are there neighbours you could trust, and where you could go in an emergency? If so, tell them what is going on, and ask them to call the police if they hear sounds of a violent attack.
- Rehearse an escape plan, so in an emergency you and the children can get away safely.
- Pack an emergency bag for yourself and your children, and hide it somewhere safe (for example, at a neighbour's or friend's house). Try to avoid mutual friends or family.
- Try to keep a small amount of money on you at all times - including change for the phone and for bus fares.
- Know where the nearest phone is, and if you have a mobile phone, try to keep it with you.
- If you suspect that your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower risk area of the house - for example where there is a way out and access to a telephone. Avoid the kitchen or garage where there are likely to be knives or other weapons; and avoid rooms where you might be trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
- Be prepared to leave the house in an emergency.