STEP 2: Safety During a Violent Incident

The PDF version of Safety Planning contains all 8 steps  (224KB)

Women cannot always avoid violent incidents, but they can do a number of things to increase their safety during violent incidents.

1. Practice how to get out safely. What doors or windows will you use?
   
2. Decide where you will go.
   
3. Keep your wallet and vehicle key ready by putting them somewhere that you can get to them quickly if you are leaving in a rush.
   
4. You can tell neighbours about the violence and ask them to call a family member/friend or the police if they hear suspicious noises coming from the house.
   
5. You can teach your children how to use the telephone to contact the police and to get help in an emergency.
   
6. You can use a code word with your children and/or friends when you are in danger, so they will call for help.
   
7. When you expect an argument, you can try to move to a safer space in the house  (near an outside door in a room with no guns, knives or other weapons - usually bathrooms, garages and kitchens are dangerous places).
   
8. Leaving may not always be the safest option. You can use your judgment and intuition to protect yourself until you are out of danger.
   
9. You can call the police when it is safe, and you can get a protective order from the court.  You can ask Victim Services or a supportive friend to go with you to the police to make a statement. Victim Services can help you with a protective order.
   

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