How to Create a Safety Plan to Escape an Abuser

Domestic abuse and violence is a prevalent social condition, and victims are usually women or young children. It is crucial to recognize the signs of abuse and to find ways to escape from an abuser. Every individual in an abusive relationship needs a safety plan. Shelters and crisis counselors have been urging safety plans for years, and police departments, victim services, hospitals and courts have adopted this strategy. Safety plans should be individualized and take into account age, marital status, whether children are involved, geographic location and resources available. This article will help you to create a safety plan for escaping from an abuser and to stop the cycle of abuse.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Put together a survival kit that is ready and packed to go should the situation warrant it. Include cash for cab fare and a change of clothing. Other items can include: extra house and car keys, birth certificates, passports, medications and copies of prescriptions, insurance information, checkbook, credit cards, legal documents such as separation agreements and protection orders, address books, valuable jewelry and papers that show jointly owned assets. Conceal it in your home or leave it with a trusted neighbor, friend or relative. Important papers can also be left in a bank deposit box.

2. Make a list of all important contact and hotline numbers. Keep several lists, for example, in your purse and glove compartment. Memorize the telephone number of the domestic violence hotline. Contact it for information on resources and your legal rights if you have been battered or assaulted.

3. Plan an escape route ahead of time and review and adjust it according to any environmental changes. Think about all possible escape routes, for example, the doors, any first-floor windows, a basement exit, elevators and stairwells. Try ro rehearse, if possible, your escape.

4. Find a safe place for potential victims to stay. A home of a friend or relative who will offer unconditional support, a motel/hotel or a shelter are options to consider when planning an escape route.

Tips & Warnings

• Never be a silent partner to domestic abuse or violence.
• Be a volunteer or spokesperson for the fight against domestic violence.
• This article is not a substutie for seeking medical attention from your own medical doctor or healthcare professional.

Resources

• Jewell TV
• Jewell Productions.TV
• DASH Foundation