At Home (if you are living with your abusive partner or spouse)

• Get your Emergency Escape Plan in order and review it often.
• Create a telephone list with numbers of local police, nearest shelter, assaulted women’s help line, crisis help line, family members, counselors, children’s friends.
• Plan with friends or family so that you can stay with them if necessary.
• Try to predict the next likely violent episode and make plans for the children to be sent to friends, family, etc.
• Teach the children to let you know when someone is at the door before answering the door.
• Teach your children how to use the telephone, and your cell phone to contact the police and the fire department.
• Keep an extra cell phone hidden and charged (pay as you go) that you can use in an emergency.
• Create a code word with your children and friends/family so they know who to call for help.
• Teach your children how to make a collect call to you and to a special friend if your partner takes the children.
• Plan your emergency exits and show your children.
• Teach your children their own safety plan.

At Home (if you are not living with your abusive partner)

• Change the locks on the doors and windows. Install a peep hole in the door. Change the locks on your garage and mailbox.
• Teach your children to tell you if someone is at the door and not answer the door themselves.
• Always keep your restraining order near you.
• Make sure that the school, day care, and police have a copy of all court orders, including restraining orders, custody, and access orders, as well as a picture of the abusive partner.
• Try to predict the next likely violent incident and be prepared.
• If you have call display on your phone, be careful about who can get access to the stored numbers.
• Have your telephone number unpublished and block your number when calling out.
• Block your abuser from calling your cell phone or contacting you through social media.
• Move your furniture as this is something your partner may not anticipate and cause them to bump into it giving you warning someone is in the house. Also put your kitchen utensils and knife block in the cupboards so they are not as accessible.
• If you live in an apartment, check the floor clearly when getting off the elevator. Look in mirrors and be aware of doorways in hallways. Speak to security, or make an anonymous call, requesting safety in your building.
• Purchase rope ladders to be used for escape from upper floors.
• If you have a balcony, consider putting wire around it.
• Replace wooden doors with steel/metal doors.
• Consider the advantages of getting a guard dog.
• Install outside motion sensitive lighting system.
• Set up doors and windows so you will know if someone has entered when you return home.
• Install monitored security systems, additional locks, window bars, and poles to wedge against doors.

In the Neighbourhood

• Tell your neighbours that you would like them to call the police if they hear a fight or screaming in your home.
• Tell people who take care of your children, who has permission to pick up your children.
• Tell people in your neighbourhood that your partner no longer lives with you, and they should call the police if they are seen near your home. Give them a photo and description of them and their car.
• Ask your neighbours to look after your children in an emergency.
• Hide clothing and your Emergency Escape Plan items at a neighbour’s house.
• Use different grocery stores and shopping malls, and shop at hours that are different from when you were living with your abusive partner.
• Use a different bank or branch and take care of your banking at hours different from those you used with your abusive partner.
• Change your doctor, dentist, and other professional services you would normally use.
• Do not put your name in your apartment building directory.

At Work

Each person must decide for themselves if and/or when they will tell others that their partner is abusive, and they may be at risk. Friends, family, and co-workers may be able to help protect you. However, each person should consider carefully which people to ask for help. If you are comfortable, you may choose to do any or all the following:

• Tell your boss, the security supervisor, and other key people or friends at work of your situation.
• Ask to have your calls screened at work. It would also help to have these calls documented.
• Discuss the possibility of having your employer call the police if you are in danger from your (ex)partner.

When Arriving or Leaving Work

• Let someone know when you’ll be home.
• Carry your keys in your hands.
• Get a remote or keyless entry car door opener.
• Walk with someone to your car.
• Scan the parking lot.
• Walk around your car, look under the hood, and check if anything has been tampered with and check brakes. Look to see if someone is hiding in the car.
• If your partner is following you, drive to a place where there are people to support you, e.g., a friend’s house, police station.
• If you have underground parking, consider parking across the street.
• Keep a sign in your car saying, “call police”.
• If you are walking, take a route that is populated.
• Change the patterns of when you arrive and leave work and the routes you take home.
• If you see your partner on the street, try to get to a public place, e.g., a store.
• If you see your partner on the street, call attention to yourself and request help.