Safety Plan

Including children in age-appropriate safety planning is important. Consider:

• Developing and practicing an emergency escape plan,
• Using a code word to signal calling 911, gathering siblings, or implementing the escape plan,
• Having them access a safe location during a violent incident or escalated times (in the home, at a friends, neighbours, family, or local store or police station)
• Calling 911 when safe, teaching them to use a device, and having them practice giving their name and address,
• Trying to have children avoid rooms with weapons and no escape exits,
• Including children’s supports in on the safety plan when appropriate.

Pet safety is imperative and often a lack of safe options for pets create a barrier in accessing safe spaces and leaving an abusive situation. Consider:

• Taking pets with you, when possible,
• Including them in the emergency escape plan,
• Keeping a bag ready for them with medication, food, a leash, cage, or other items,
• Organizing with friends, family, neighbours, humane society, or boarding/foster programs who can take your pet if staying somewhere that doesn’t welcome them.

The use of technology can be a barrier in leaving safely and maintaining your safety while in the home, community, or workplace. Consider:

• Changing your phone number,
• Making your number private and not listed,
• Keeping your phone and devices charged at all times,
• Blocking unknown or known numbers and screening calls,
• Creating and changing passwords on devices and accounts like banking, social media, etc.
• Programming emergency numbers and knowing how to make an emergency call,
• Hiding your tracks and history,
• Turning off your GPS and location services,
• Screening for and removing GPS devices,
• Keeping devices on your person at all times,
• Documenting abuse and violent incidents or communication.

For more information, please visit: https://www.techsafety.org/resources-survivors

Your safety at home can change depending on whether you live with someone who is abusive or not and during a violent incident. Consider:

• Calling 911 or a crisis line when/if needed,
• Using your code word and emergency escape plan when/if needed,
• Using a code word with neighbours, friends, family, helping professionals, etc.,
• Grabbing your cell phone and keeping devices nearby,
• Avoiding being in a room without exits and with weapons,
• Packing an emergency bag with supplies for yourself and your children, include important documents such as birth certificates, health cards, passports, immigration papers, court orders, etc.
• Making an extra set of keys,
• Requesting a Home Safety Audit from Victim Services,
• Installing cameras, motion detectors, changing locks (if able), reinforcing windows and doors and keeping them locked,
• Instructing children not to open the door without your permission,
• Documenting evidence of abuse,
• Keeping crisis lines and shelter numbers in a secret, safe, and accessible place,
• Carrying cash or a loaded Presto Card on your person,
• Providing a copy of important documents to your support people,
• Ensuring you have working smoke detectors and fire alarms,
• Speaking to security and property management, if applicable
• Trusting your instincts and obtain support when needed.

When women leave an abusive relationship, they are at an escalated risk of violence and lethality. To plan a safer exit, consider:

• Attending a shelter or safe and unknown location, planned in advance,
• Taking your children with you,
• Taking your cell phone, important documents, emergency bags, keys, and other important items,
• Notifying your emergency contact or supports,
• Checking in when you’ve arrived safety,
• Requesting support of police if you plan to leave with your belongings,
• Packing important medication, harm reduction items, and other medical needs,
• Know the nearest 24/7 store or first responder station.

Safety in the community is jeopardized when someone who is abusive engages in stalking, harassment, and other forms of abuse. Consider:

• Planning your outings and familiarizing yourself with your destination and the surroundings,
• Carrying your cell phone and other items that keep you safe,
• Calling 911 if necessary,
• Keeping any protection orders on your person,
• Parking in front of storefronts and cameras,
• Keeping a half tank of gas at all times,
• Not routinely visiting the same locations,
• Changing bank locations, grocery stores, gyms, and other professionals if possible,
• Having someone accompany you to court appearances or legal appointments,
• Informing your neighbours about your situation,
• Informing the children’s childcare or school about the situation and changing who is authorized to pick up the children or attend the school/childcare location,
• Being aware of security available on site at your destination,
• Creating a safety plan and code word to alert your support network if you need assistance.

Abuse and violence can impact you in your workplace, especially if the abusive person attempts to contact you at work, works at the same location, or attends your workplace and speaks with your colleagues. Consider:

• Telling your supervisor and colleagues about your situation,
• Creating a safety plan while at work,
• Parking near cameras and having someone walk with you to and from your car/bus station/transit,
• Reminding colleagues and supervisors to keep your information private,
• Having your workplace screen your calls,
• Providing a photo ID and description of the abusive person to your workplace,
• Establishing a code word to use with coworkers,
• Changing your voicemail and extension,
• Establishing a safe location to attend in a crisis,
• Adjusting work hours to leave and return work at different times,
• Keeping your cell phone and keys on you and call 911 if needed,
• Documenting any incidents or suspected incidents,
• Changing work locations, offices, departments, or sites.