Families Change Guide to Separation & Divorce

5.9 - Your Safety Plan

5.9 - Your Safety Plan

If you feel your safety is at risk, or that the safety of you children is at risk, the top priority is making sure you and your children are safe. All adults have the responsibility to protect children from being victims of abuse or witnessing violence.

If you are in immediate danger, call the police right away. If you don’t feel safe at home, ask the police to take you and your children to the local transition house/shelter, a friend’s or a relative’s house.

You can ask the police about getting a protection order for you and your children. In addition to calling the police, be sure to call your local counseling agency or individuals to give you support and guidance.

If you are not in immediate danger but your partner:

  • Has ever physically abused you or your children
  • Has ever sexually abused you or your children
  • Has ever threatened to hurt you or your children in any way
  • Has ever made you feel that if you left, or he/she left, your children would not be safe
  • Has ever threatened to take your children away
  • Has ever said or done anything else that has made you feel that you and your children are not safe;

Then contact one of the agencies or individuals on your ‘Contact Card’ to help you make a plan for the safety of yourself and your children

You do not have to wait until there is a crisis before you make a safety plan – do it now.  It can include such things as:

  • Keeping a small suitcase packed with necessities for yourself and your children in case you need to leave quickly
  • Keeping a copy of any court orders with you at all times
  • Making sure that all doors and windows have secure locks
  • Having a safe place to go quickly if you need to