Safety planning is essential if you, or someone you know, is in need of escaping an abusive situation. Below are some basic techniques and essential factors to keep in mind when creating a safety plan. 

 

Safety at Home – If the abuser starts a fight at home, be aware of the different rooms in the house. Try to stay close to doors or windows (to make escape easier) and try not to be pushed into a corner. If you are somehow pushed into a corner and the abuser is attacking, try to make yourself as small as possible while using your hands to cover your face, chest and head from injuries. 

Get Away Bag – Make sure your get-away / emergency bag is ready if you need to leave at a moment’s notice. Either keep it hidden in a place where no one (especially the abuser) would be likely to find it, or give it to a trusted friend who you can take it from when you make your escape. 

Children – Talk to your children about your safety plan. If your children are too small to understand the significance of what is happening (or what domestic violence and abuse even is) you can tell them this is a “safety plan in case of emergencies” (or something general like that) so that even if the abuser does learn about it by mistake, it doesn’t make them suspicious.   

Pets –  If you have pets or animals in the home, if possible, you may want to first ensure that they are either moved safely ahead of time (on pretext of vet appointment or some other reason) before you finally make your escape; to prevent the abuser from abusing them in retaliation.

Protection Orders – Survivors of domestic violence can get protection orders under Section 9 of the Domestic Violence Bill 2016

Family and Friends – You can keep your trusted family and friends in the loop when creating a safety plan, so that if required they may be there to assist you. 

Check out our Safety Guide for Survivors and the other resources given below, for further information. 

Create Your Own Safety Plan – while in an intimate relationship. 

  1. I will have important phone numbers available to my children and myself. You may put a specific number on speed dial in case of emergencies; so only one button needs to be pushed to connect me with a friend / helper. 
  2. I can tell _______ and ______ about the violence in my house and ask them to call the police or other emergency services if I dial the emergency number for them.   
  3. If I leave my home, then I can go to (list 4 places you can get shelter): __________, __________, __________, and __________. For example, the police station, my friend’s house, relative’s home, hospital, etc. 
  4. I can leave extra money (cash), my documents, clothes and other important things in an escape bag with _________.
  5. If I leave, I will bring / take with me ____ (check Safety Checklist below). 
 
 
 

Safety Plan Checklist: 

  1. Important phone numbers and address book (including police, women help centres and friends). 
  2. Hamqadam App Directory (download from Google Play) 
  3. ID Documents and Birth Certificates
  4. Passport, Green Card, Immigration Documents (if applicable) 
  5. Education Certificates (both the survivor’s and any children they may have) 
  6. Professional work certificates / recommendations. 
  7. School reports and school books for any children that may be escaping with the survivor. 
  8. Medical records and files
  9. Money (cash), ATM and bank account details (make sure the ATM and bank account details are not known or accessibly to the abuser)
  10. Medications.
  11. Change of clothes (you might keep your escape bag at a friend’s). 
  12. Original Nikkahanam, Marriage Certificate and Talaqnama / Divorce Deed (if the latter is also available). 
  13. Jewelry and ornaments (including gold)
  14. Any recent paid bills of the house you are residing in (if possible). 
  15. Interim or final Court Orders. 
 
 

Create a Safety Plan Post Separation: 

  1. Avoid routine places, such as cafe or other hangout places where you used to hang out with the abuser during the relationship and where you may be recognized by others. 
  2. If there are any regular appointments (such as doctor’s appointments) that the ex-spouse or former partner know about, it is better to either change the time of those regular appointments, or change the healthcare practitioner altogether. 
  3. Use alternate routes to and from work / school / home. 
  4. Inform your workplace of your separation, and warn them that the abuser might stalk you to your workplace / or show up at the workplace to create a ruckus. 
  5. Inform your children’s school(s) that you are the only parent who will pick up the children and not the abusive parent. You might want to provide copies of Court Orders for proof. 
  6. Change your address, phone number and email ID (if you think you are in greater danger). 
  7. Keep a separate bank account / ATM card that the abuser does not know about.