Know the easiest escape routes doors, windows etc.

Know where you're going to go.

Have a safe place arranged that is known to yourself and your children if possible.

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 a code between you.

Teach the children to call 000 and practice what to say.

Call the Police as soon as it is safe to do so.

Determine where you will go for safety; friends, family or women’s refuge

Always try to take the children with you

Keep a small amount of cash to make emergency calls, key cards, 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. Remember, if you do leave you can always request police to accompany you back to the house to get your personal possessions.

Make your own list (Birth certificates, marriage certificate, copies of Domestic Violence Orders, custody papers, passports, any identification papers, drivers licence, insurance policies, work and Income documents, Centrelink number, Medicare number, bank account details and statements, cheque book, cash cards, immigration documentation, adoption papers, medical and legal records, etc).

Arrange transport in advance.

Ask your family doctor to carefully note any evidence of injuries on your patient records.

Inform your children’s school and day care who has permission to collect the children.

Review your banking and postal arrangements.

If possible, use different shops and banks to those you used previously.

Consider installing an outside sensor lighting system.

Change locks and ensure window security. A security chain could be fitted to all entry doors and used at all times when the door is answered by you or your children.

Plan for extra safety between leaving your car and entering your home, e.g. an automatic garage door opener, safety lighting, or removal of shrubs or trees in the area.

Vary your travel routes to and from work. Keep a map handy and pre plan routes in unknown areas to prevent you from having to leave your vehicle.

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 a protection 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 protection order, telephone the Police and report the breach. If the Police do not help you are able to make a complaint.

Ask your telephone company about the installation of “Caller ID" on your telephone and ask for an unlisted number.

Contact the Australian Electoral Commission and ask for your name and address to be excluded from the published electoral role.