Getting Help: Personal Safety Plan
The following steps are my plan for increasing my safety and preparing to protect myself in case of further abuse. Although I can’t control my abuser’s violence, I do have a choice about how I respond and how I get to safety. I will decide for myself if and when I will tell others that I have been abused, or that I am still at risk. Friends, family and co-workers can help protect me, if they know what is happening, and what they can do to help.
To increase my safety, I can do some or all of the following:
1. When I have to talk to my abuser in person, I can _______________________________________.
2. When I talk to my abuser on the phone, I can _______________________________________.
3. I will make up a "code word" for my family, co-workers, or friends, so they know when to call for help for me. My code word is _______________________________________.
2. When I talk to my abuser on the phone, I can _______________________________________.
3. I will make up a "code word" for my family, co-workers, or friends, so they know when to call for help for me. My code word is _______________________________________.
4. When I feel a fight coming on, I will try to move to a place that is lowest risk for getting hurt such as ______________________ or (at work) _________________________ or _______________________ . (at home) (in public)
5. I can tell my family, co-workers, boss, or a friend about my situation. I feel safe telling: ____________.
5. I can tell my family, co-workers, boss, or a friend about my situation. I feel safe telling: ____________.
6. I can use an answering machine or ask my co-workers, friends or other family members to screen my calls and visitors. I have the right to not receive harassing phone calls. I can ask _______________________or ____________________ to help screen (home) (work) my phone calls.
7. I can keep change for phone calls with me at all times. I can call any of the following people for assistance or support if necessary and can ask them to call the police if they see my abuser bothering me.
friend__________________________________ relative_________________________________
co-worker_______________________________ counselor_______________________________
shelter__________________________________ other___________________________________
7. I can keep change for phone calls with me at all times. I can call any of the following people for assistance or support if necessary and can ask them to call the police if they see my abuser bothering me.
friend__________________________________ relative_________________________________
co-worker_______________________________ counselor_______________________________
shelter__________________________________ other___________________________________
8. When leaving work I can: _________________________________.
9. When walking, riding or driving home, if problems occur, I can: ________________________________________________.
10. I can attend a support group for women who have been abused. Support groups are held: _________________________ at ____________________________________________.
9. When walking, riding or driving home, if problems occur, I can: ________________________________________________.
10. I can attend a support group for women who have been abused. Support groups are held: _________________________ at ____________________________________________.
11. Telephone Numbers I Need to Know:
Police/Sheriffs Department: __________________________________
Probation Officer: ___________________________________________
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program: ____________________
Counselor: __________________________________________________
Clergy Person: ______________________________________________
Attorney: ___________________________________________________
Other: ______________________________________________________
Police/Sheriffs Department: __________________________________
Probation Officer: ___________________________________________
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program: ____________________
Counselor: __________________________________________________
Clergy Person: ______________________________________________
Attorney: ___________________________________________________
Other: ______________________________________________________
(Courtesy of National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Personal Safety Plan)
Contact Us • Genesis House, Inc. • P.O. Box 1180 • Cookeville, TN 38503
24 Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-707-5197 or 526-5197
24 Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-707-5197 or 526-5197