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Safety Planning
It may be helpful to set up some safety plans for you and
your children. It is important that you don't let your partner see the plan, but
it is a good idea to talk about it with someone you trust that is close to you.
This safety plan has three parts:
- To
avoid serious injury and escape violence
- To separate safely
- To plan for long term
safety after separation
 | Leave if you can. |
| 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.
| Have the refuge referral number of 1800 811 811
memorised or easy to find. |
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| 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.
| Review your safety plan often. |
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Caution: Leaving can be the most dangerous
time
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| 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.
| Attend a woman's education program to help you grow stronger and
understand what has happened to you. |
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