Safety tips for women who experiencing family violence

Use this Personal Safety Plan:

SAFETY PLAN

PLANNING TO BE SAFE

Many women have found that violence increases at the time of separation. This period may place you and your children in more danger. This is because you are making your own choices and decisions, and your ex-partner may feel a loss of power and exhibit more controlling behaviors.

If you have fears for your safety, you may want to consider making a safety plan, in case you need to leave in a hurry.

EMERGENCIES

• If you are in immediate danger call the police on 000
• If you are in a crisis situation, you can contact the
  Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria (WDVCS)
  1800 015 188 (24 hours 7 days a week.)
• Lifeline (24 hours) 131 114

PLANNED EXIT

• Decide who you will call if you feel threatened or in danger
• Decide where you will go if you need a safe place to stay
• Practice traveling to the safe location if possible e.g. friend’s hous
• Decide what travel arrangements you will make to ensure the safety of your children
• Talk with someone that you trust about the decision to stay or whether to leav
• Keep an extra key to your house and car in a safe place
• Keep a bag packed for you and the children in case you need to leave in a hurry
• Keep copies of all important documents on you at all times or leave them at a friend or relative’s place. E.g. Intervention order, birth certificates for you and your children, passports, healthcare and/or Medicare cards, prescriptions for medications and any legal document
• Make a list of friends and emergency numbers.

ACCESS:

• If you are concerned for your children's safety on access visits, you can temporarily deny access. You have to notify the Family Court that you are going to deny access and write to the other parent saying that you are not going to comply with the custody order. For more information contact the Central Highlands Community Legal Centre on (03) 53 315 999 or the Women's Legal Resource Group on (03) 9642 0343 or 1800 133 302, or your lawyer for information on access and legal aid. Also, all contracts made with the Child Support Agency, such as repayments, are all strictly confidential, with neither person's personal details (address, phone number) shown on any documents.

ACCOMMODATION:

• If you have been living in joint accommodation, arrange to have your name taken off the lease, including Department of Human Services (Office of Housing), so that you are not liable for rent.
• If you are leaving your own house, you can arrange to continue making mortgage payments so that you don't lose the property.
• If you are renting from the Office of Housing, you can keep paying rent so that you don't lose the flat or house and so that you can apply for a transfer or a priority transfer.

ANlMALS/PETS:

• Leave them behind.
• Hand them in to RSPCA.
• Only keep a dog if it will react as a guard dog when it sees the abuser.
  This is no time to put your life in danger for an animal.

APPOINTMENTS:

• Avoid regular appointments that your partner may know of.
• Let doctors, lawyers, counsellors, dentists etc., know the importance of maintaining your security. They may be able to arrange off street parking so that you are less visible, and ask them to inform the receptionist not to allow any information about you to be leaked out.
• Change your name and address with those appointments above, and use a P.O.Box.

BANK ACCOUNTS:

• Do not simply transfer bank accounts, close them and open new ones at a different bank, not just at different branches of the same bank.
• Change bank accounts, particularly if anyone has access to your account number, or PIN number.
• If you use a ATM card, bank card or other credit cards, the area you are withdrawing from will be listed on all bank statements so change your address at the bank as soon as possible.

• When you move, you need to notify Vic Roads within 14 days to change both your licence, and vehicle registration. A way around this could be to give the address of a friend or a parent for your vehicle registration.
• Arrange for a 'stop' to be put on your VicRoads file. You apply at the local police station, stating that you could be in danger and that you want extra protection on your file. The police will write a letter saying what information you would like kept confidential. Any enquiries about your file will then be directed to the police station you had contact with.
• In certain instances the courts or a report by an inspector or above, can order that a persons address be hidden on all Vic Roads and Police records for a short period of time.
• Sell your car and buy another if feasible.
• If you wanted to re-register your car, which is just changing your registration plate at Vic Roads, it will cost you $22.
• If you go interstate then have your plates changed (interstate plates are very obvious)
• If you are being followed drive directly to the nearest police station.
• Don't always drive the same way home.
• Put the car away immediately you get home, out of sight if possible.

COMPUTERS:

• Most services, businesses, and government departments, store their information about customers on computers. In general, most of these organizations are bound by company policy to respect the privacy of that information. However many systems are far from fool-proof. Therefore, you may want to consider requesting extra security for personal information, changing the name, address and phone number on their records. If information is given out complain to the services manager, you can also make a complaint if information is given out.

COURT PROCEEDINGS:

• If you have to attend court and are concerned for your safety, you can ring the court to ask them what security and support they can offer you (if need be you can attend a court outside your area). Most Magistrates Courts are located near Police Stations. There is a door person (police officer) on duty at the court from 9.30am so you can arrange for them to escort you from the building. You can also request a police officer to escort you from the station to the court building. It can also be arranged that they stay with you until the end of the case, and escort you to your car or the police station after the court case.
• If you are attending court with a worker or friend who is unknown to your partner, they may agree to go into the court building before you, to establish if and/or where your partner is located, and where the police are located. At other courts there are police units available who will be able to assist you to be safe at court.
• If attending the Ballarat Courthouse, you can wait in the Court Network Offices for more (but not complete) privacy and safety.

ELECTORAL ROLL:

• You can have your name listed silently on the electoral rolls. You need to ask either at your Division Office, or at the office in the division you are about to move in to, for a Silent Enrolment Form. The Australian Electoral Commission will send a form to the Division Office. It is up to the discretion of the Division Officer whether or not your enrolment can be listed silently, but if you are in danger, the application will usually be accepted. If you don't know which Division you belong to, or are changing to, ring the Australian Electoral Commission on (03) 9285 7171.
• Or you could leave your name and address in the old register. This means, if you are still situated in the same division as before, then you will fill out a normal form, or if you are outside the division, you can simply fill in an absent vote form on the day, wherever you are.

FINANCIAL SECURITY:

• Arrange to have your name taken off any bills (eg. gas, phone) so that you are not liable for payment of them.
• Cancel joint credit cards, accounts, cheque accounts.
• It is difficult to put a 'stop' on all joint accounts, so you should contact you banks branch manager straight away to discuss your situation with them, and they will inform you of your options.
• Change address to P.O. Box with insurance (car, house, contents) company if applicable.

LEGAL OPTIONS:

Intervention Orders:

• You can apply for an intervention order if you have been threatened with violence, actually been assaulted, or abused in some way and believe it is likely to happen again. The order can include any conditions that you consider necessary to protect yourself. For example, to prohibit the offender from entering or coming near your home or area, your place of work, or the children's school, or from phoning you. It can also order the offender to dispose of any firearms and revoke an existing gun licence, or order him to participate in counselling. You can apply for one at the Magistrates or Children's court.
• You do not have to put your actual address on the order, you could just write instead, that they can not come near "your residential address".
• The order is only effective once a copy has been served on the alleged offender. If you believe your safety will be threatened before the hearing, (which can take up to two weeks), you can apply for an Interim (temporary) order.
• Make sure you have a copy of the order on you at all times. You should also take copies of the intervention orders to your local police - try to make them aware of difficulties you are having and try to enlist their support. Also, give the order to: police departments in the community you usually visit, your family and/or friends, and to the WRISC worker who is supporting you.
  Stalking Laws:
• Stalking is a crime which involves any one harassing or scaring someone in a particular way. The person accused of stalking must either have intended to make someone scared for their own safety or for the safety of someone else. For example, following someone, entering or loitering around someone's home or work. If you believe someone is stalking you, call the police.
  Criminal Charges:
• If there is enough evidence of an assault (or other offences) the police should lay criminal charges. Evidence can include: a doctor's report of injury or distress suffered, police observations of furniture being been thrown about, or evidence from someone who saw or heard the violence and your own testament.

LIBRARY, GYM, VIDEO SHOP:

• Leave old address on record
• Ask about confidentiality policies before handing over your address, perhaps the service will put a note on your card.
• Change habits of when you go and how you go.

Mail:

• Arrange for your mail to be redirected to your new address or to a post office box. You will need to fill in a Mail Redirection form from the Post Office. It will cost about $5 per month. You do need to show identification when arranging for mail redirection.
• Separate your residential address from your mail address. Rent a Post Office box so that you don't have to give out an address. Average price of a small box in Ballarat is approximately $40 per year.
• In some areas, mail can be collected at the Post Office if boxes aren't available.
• You could have your mail collected from the box or the Post Office by a friend.

MEDICARE:

• You can transfer yourself and your children on to a new Medicare number by applying at your local office
• You can also request for Medicare to remove your name and your childrens from his card.

MISSING PERSONS:

• If you are wanting to disappear and you think someone might report you are missing, it is wise to contact the Missing Persons Bureau to let them know that you are safe. You don't have to tell them where you are. Once the Bureau knows that you are O.K. they won't follow up any investigations. The Bureau's phone number is 1800 808 606

NAMES:

• Use a false name. You can use a false name or names in any situations other than those which require you to show identification. You can also change your name using a statuary declaration as long as you are not trying to defraud anyone. Statuary declarations (or stat. decs.) are available from most newsagents for about 50 cents, they need to be signed by an official person such as; police officer, justice of the peace, a doctor.
• You can formally change your name by applying to the:
  Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, 295 Queen Street, Melbourne, 3000
  ph: (03) 9603 5861 hrs: M-F 8.30am-4pm
• To change your name, you'll need some identification (such as birth certificate, passport, licence, bank statement, social security benefits entitlement card) and approximately $30. To provide extra security, add a note on your application about requiring that your name and name change or other details are not disclosed to anyone. Within about two weeks of applying you will be sent a certificate of name change. No-one can have access to name change information through the Registry, nor can they get it through Freedom Of Information (FOI Act). If you were born in Victoria your name will automatically be changed on your birth certificate and you will be sent a copy. A change of name certificate is accepted as identification for changing bank accounts and social security files. You can choose to revert to your previous married surname, or to the surname recorded on your birth certificate, hence, you may do so without registering a change of name at the Registry. The disadvantage of legally changing your name is that converting other forms of identification can be costly (eg passport).
• Unfortunately, children's names can not be changed without both parent's permission. If you are the only parent listed on your child's birth certificate, this does not apply. If one parent refuses consent, a Court Order to approve change of name can be applied for through the Magistrates of Family Court of Australia. If your child is over the age of 12 they also must consent to changing their name. You must also bring some identification of the child such as a birth certificate. If the child was born interstate you must produce their birth certificate, if they were born overseas you must produce a birth certificate translated to English or a passport, or a social security document. You may also just use another name for your child if you are not trying to defraud anyone. If you do this, try to keep the child's first names unchanged as this will prevent any confusion for them (and you).
• You will need your new I.D. to open accounts in that name.

PERSONAL SAFETY:

• Attend self-defence classes - Dorothy Volke runs classes in this region, her phone number is: (03) 53 424 716.
• Carry a loud whistle
• Call 'fire' instead of 'rape' or 'help'.
• Have a torch and emergency numbers by the phone (have emergency numbers installed on the phones directory if you have a modern one).
• Talk to neighbours about your need for security and, if necessary, arrange a signal with them to let them know when you are in danger. They are then more likely to call police if they suspect something is wrong.
• Get a peephole or security door installed.
• Replace wooden doors with steel/metal doors.
• You may want to install security Systems such as additional locks, window bars, poles to wedge against doors, an electronic system etc.
• You may want to install smoke detectors and purchase fire extinguishers.
• You may want to install an outside lighting system that lights up when a person is coming close to the house.
• Replace louvers with fitted glass pane, you may also want deadlocks on windows and doors.
• Find out who has access to the keys to the house. Does any one else have keys to the car, and if so, change them.
• Make sure you check the car before you get in, to make sure no one is in it.
• Secure the "utility hole" in the roof with nails or bolts.
• Secure the fuse box if it is located outside.
• Hire security guards. The approximate cost of a local service four times per night, spot check, is $20 per calender month.
• Have an escape plan for you and the children ready, in case he breaks in, similar to a fire drill, and practise it with the children.
• Perhaps teach your children to use the telephone to call the police
• Never open the door unless you know the caller is someone you can trust - if someone wants to use the phone, ask for the number and you make the call. NEVER admit that you are alone.
• If you are moving to a close friend or relatives house, keep any obvious physical aspect hidden (such as car, children, clothes on line etc,). Do not answer the phone, perhaps get someone else to pick the children up from school .
• When you leave the house, leave a light on somewhere which will allow you a good view of inside the house - a radio playing softly, preferably a talk type show, can make it appear that someone is in the house.
• Be careful when using public transport. If someone recognises you, tell them you're visiting a friend and perhaps get dropped off at a different position rather than near your house.
• If you are walking and are approached - make as much noise as possible and head into the nearest house.
• If you are working, you may need to talk to your employer about your situation. Discuss issues such as accepting telephone calls at work, taking precautions when leaving the work place, and perhaps having an escape plan mapped out.
• You may also want to ring up the Gas and Fuel company, and ask them to put restrictions on your file as to who can ring up and cut it off, or try and get information. In regards to your electricity, there is no security restrictions, so any one could ring up and cut your power off, but you may want to ring Powercor and take this matter up with them.

SCHOOLS:

• Discuss the need for extra security for your children, with the principal and their teachers at the school.
• It may be possible to negotiate to have your children's names removed from the General Register of Enrolments.
• Change children's schools, and emphasise with the principal and teachers that they should not give out any information about whether your children attend the school.
• If you need to transfer children's schools, let people at the old school know how important it is for them to keep where you have moved to a secret.
• Notify teachers of who will be picking up the children from school .
• Drop off and pick up children by rear or other door .
• Organise to pickup/drop off children a half hour earlier or later.

SHOPPING:

• Change shopping habits, i.e. go to different shops or supermarkets .
• Try not to take the children so that you can make a quick escape if necessary.
• Have an escape plan mapped out in your head.
• Carry a personal alarm if you can afford one, they range between $15 and $30.

SOCIAL SECURITY:

• It is difficult to ensure safety through the Department of Social Security (DSS), although social security officers are bound by law to protect the privacy of customers and the confidentiality of customer information.
• The department has a system for customers who are in fear of danger, and need their files kept totally confidential. Firstly, you will need to see a social worker and explain your situation to them so they can organise your files. The department ensures confidentiality at two levels. The first level is when the department label your file, as a "sensitive file" on the computer, they can put a 'flag' (warning) on your file, so anyone who accesses your file will need to record the reason why. In addition, you can request that your address to be withheld on the computer (as all your addresses including previous ones will be on file) The second level, is that all your details are removed from the computer and your paper file is locked away in the Regional Managers office, with limited access to other staff. The main problem with the extra security is that there may be greater delays when dealing with the department.
• If you apply for a benefit or pension with a changed name, both names are kept on file and are cross-referenced.
• It may be possible to apply for benefits or pensions in another region to avoid having to go to an office in the region where your abuser lives .

TAXATION:

• If you have changed your name, you can either continue to use the tax file number that you had previously been using, or you can arrange for a new tax file number. To arrange for a new number, you have to ask in person at the Tax Department Office. If you are going to continue to use your old tax file number, you just need to change the name on your tax return, or notify the department of your name change, by mail. You can ring the Tax Department on 13 2861 or (03) 53 313 722. You can also leave the old address and add a new P.O.Box or postal address (to a friend, or to a post office to send on to you).

TELEPHONE:

• Apply for a telephone number under a different name.
• Arrange for the new number to be listed silently (not in the phone book). You will have to specifically request this and it does cost a bit extra on your connection, and monthly rental. However, there is no charge for getting a silent number if you are experiencing nuisance calls or harassment but you will need to apply personally on 132200 and inform them of this. There will be an increase in your rental of approximately $8 per billing period.
• For added security you can ask to put a privacy code (password) on your account, so that if any one at all rings up telecom, they will need to state this before any information is released.
• With new phones, someone can press re-dial and find out who you have just called. To avoid this, ring the weather, or time or directory after you have made a call that you want to keep a secret.
• STD calls that you have made may appear on some phone bills, so use a public phone for these. Also, a reverse charge call from a silent number will be put on the other account, so the number is shown.
• If you are required to have contact with your ex-partner, perhaps in relation to access arrangements, you may want to consider purchasing a mobile phone so he doesn't know your number and can not trace the calls.
• Be cautious when giving your phone number to things such as hotels, banks, local businesses and even when entering competitions.
• It is possible to request a trace to be put on nuisance or threatening calls. The request needs to be in writing to the Tracing Department of the telephone company you are subscribed to. If the caller is in breach of an intervention order the trace results can be used by the police to charge the caller, otherwise the telephone company will begin by sending a letter of warning to the caller, and if the calls continue they can prosecute.

WOMEN'S RESOURCE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT CENTRE (WRISC):

• Ring us instead of coming in.
• Ask us to pick you up from an agreed place.
• Park your car at the back of the centre.
• Ask to be escorted to your car.
• Ring reverse charges.
• Ask us to meet you at a safe place.
• Let the WRISC worker who is seeing you know a safe way to contact you, in respect to mail and telephone.

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