Make a Safety Plan

Safety at Home

• Identify safe areas of the house where there are no weapons and, if possible, multiple exits. If arguments occur, try to move to those areas.
• Keep weapons like guns and knives locked away and as inaccessible as possible.
• If violence is unavoidable, make yourself a small target; dive into a corner and curl up into a ball with your face protected and arms around each side of your head, fingers entwined.
• Make a habit of backing the car into the driveway and keeping it fueled. Keep the driver’s door unlocked but the other doors locked for a quick escape.
• Talk to neighbors you know and trust. Ask them to call 911 if they hear signs of violence or abuse. Consider discussing a code with them, such as turning on a certain exterior light to signal the need to call 911.
• Keep a list of important contacts in your phone or wallet such as a trusted taxi or rideshare option, our hotline, and your local police non-emergency number.
• If possible, keep a spare phone with prepaid minutes so you can reach support without it showing up on a shared phone bill.
• Pack a bag with essentials in case you need to leave quickly, and know where it is. Keep it where a partner is not likely to find it, such as at work, with a neighbor, or in your car’s trunk.
• Create several plausible reasons for leaving the house at different times of the day or night such as moving recycling to the street, checking the mail, visiting the leasing office to request a repair, etc.
• Think of where you could go immediately that is safe. Is there a nearby 24-hour grocery store or pharmacy? Are you close to a police or fire station?
• Think of how you might leave. Try doing things that get you out of the house, such as taking out the trash, walking a pet or going to the store.

Safety With Children

• Teach your children a safe place to go in the house if an argument is occurring, ideally a room with an exterior exit. Try to move the argument away from those areas.
• Teach your children not to get involved in the violence between you and your partner.
• Plan a code word to signal to them that they should get help or leave the house.
• Teach your children that violence is never ok, even when someone they love is being violent. Tell them that neither you, nor they, are at fault or are the cause of the violence, and that when anyone is being violent, it is important to stay safe.

Making an Escape Plan

• Plan and practice the quickest way to leave, if you ever need to.
• Keep a small bag ready with keys, money, medication, and other essentials for yourself and your children.
• Leave spare keys and copies of important documents with someone you trust.
• Set up a code word with a trusted friend or family member, so you can signal for help even if you can't speak freely.
• If you have mobility needs or a disability, arrange in advance for someone to come immediately if you call or text.

Safety When Not Living Together

• Increase security at home where you can: outdoor lighting, extra locks, or a security system.
• Park on the street rather than in a driveway, so you're never blocked in.
• Consider changing your phone number, and use email instead if you need to stay in contact with your abuser. Email also creates a record of communication.
• Get a P.O. Box for mail if your abuser has or could get access to your home or mailbox.
• If you see your abuser in public, move to a busy, public space as soon as you can.
• Change up your routine: different routes, different stores, different hours than before.
• Talk with an advocate or attorney about a Temporary Protective Order if you don't already have one. Learn more about our Legal Advocacy program
• If you are granted a protective order, provide a copy to your leasing office, employer and your children’s school or daycare. Carry a copy with you at all times.

We're Here, Whenever You're Ready

Call our 24-hour hotline at 404-688-9436 to talk through your safety plan with an advocate, any time, day or night.