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Home > Violence prevention > Dealing with domestic and family violence > Safety plan

Safety plan

One of the things that you can do to help yourself is to have a safety plan for those times when you feel unsafe or at risk of being hurt. The following safety plan is an example of what you can do to prepare for a time when you are in danger and need to leave quickly.

  1. Decide who you will call if you feel threatened or in danger. This may be the Police but could also be a neighbour, relative or friend. You may also wish to contact dvconnect's womensline on 1800 811 811. This is a statewide telephone service for women experiencing domestic and family violence operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    Remember if you call a domestic and family violence service or another number for help, make sure you dial another number immediately afterwards so the person abusing you cannot use the last number dialled facility. If you ring from a mobile phone, remember to remove the call from the call log in the phone.
  2. Decide where you will go if you need a safe place. You may need to leave the house in a hurry if you think you may be hurt. If you have children, develop a safety plan for them such as working out where they can go that is safe if you are unable to get away. This could be a neighbour or another person who lives close by who may be able to offer protection.
  3. Decide what arrangements you might need to make for your pets if they will be at risk of being harmed. If you are unable to place your pets somewhere safe, the Pets in Crisis Domestic Violence Program offered by dvconnect in partnership with the RSPCA will be able to help. Phone Womensline on 1800 811 811 for more information and assistance.
  4. If possible save some money for a taxi, bus or train for emergency transportation to a safe place.
  5. Keep extra keys to your house and car in a safe place.
  6. Make a list of emergency phone numbers.
  7. Consider keeping some clothing, medications, prescriptions, important papers, keys and some money with someone you can trust.
  8. If possible, practice travelling to the location that you have chosen as a safe place.
  9. If you are going on a date make sure you carry emergency cash, have a phone card or mobile phone, consider using your own transport and meet the other person at the venue, and tell someone else who you are going out with, where, and an expected time you will be back.
  10. Information about online security measures for people in abusive relationships is available at the dvconnect website.

Confidential support and advice for women affected by domestic violence is available by phoning dvconnect Womensline on 1800 811 811 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
Note: This number is not recorded on your phone bill.

Increasing your safety (PDF 593 kB)

This booklet explains domestic and family violence, provides helpful information on how to increase your safety and offers ideas about where you can find support.