Creating a Safety Plan

From 'Creating a Safety Plan', prepared by The Peel Committee Against Women Abuse.

It is important to know that although you do not have control over your (ex)partner's violence, it is possible to increase your own, as well as your children's, safety when being subjected to this abuse.

Creating a safety plan involves identifying action steps to increase your safety, and to prepare in advance for the possibility of further violence.

This information package offers many suggestions and ideas which we hope you will find useful. However, don't try to do everything right away. Take it a step at a time, and start with the ideas which seem most doable for you.

In creating a safety plan it is important to remember that:

Although you cannot control your (ex)partner's violence, it may be possible to increase your own and your children's safety.

A safety plan is needed whenever the possibility of abuse is identified.

This safety plan information is specifically designed for actions that you can take.

This safety plan information also includes actions you can take to increase your children's safety.

It is important to become familiar with and to review and/or revise your safety plan regularly. Abusive situations and risk factors can change quickly.