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.