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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 _________________________________________________________.
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: __________________________________.
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______________________________________
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 ___________________________________________________________
. 11. Telephone Numbers I Need to
Know:
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) |
