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Safety Planning

You may not be able to control the abuse that is being inflicted on you but you can take steps to protect yourself and anyone else who is affected – children for example.

Safety planning can help with this.

Be prepared for an emergency

Think about your options carefully and think about what you could do in an emergency situation.

  • Keep your phone charged, in credit and with you at all times
  • Store any useful numbers Safe2Speak, the Refuge and the police domestic violence unit into your phone but under other names. For example, the refuge could be in your phone under ‘hairdresser’
  • Consider changing your phone provider to a mobile network if you have issues with your signal
  • If you don’t have a mobile phone make sure you have change with you
  • Teach any children to call 999 in an emergency and what they need to say: their full name, address, telephone number
  • Are there people nearby you can trust where you can go in an emergency? Consider telling them about what’s happening and that you may need their help in an emergency situation e.g. phoning the Police.
  • Choose a safe place in the house you can go to call the police. Try to avoid places, like the bathroom or kitchen where there might be knives or razors. Consider locking kitchen cupboards, moving knifes to a different drawer or removing knife blocks from the counter top.
  • Ensure all the tools or things that could be used as weapons are locked up in the garage or tool shed.
  • Plan your escape routes so that in an emergency you can get away safely.
  • If you feel you are at risk of forced marriage contact 999 immediately.
  • If you feel it is safe to do so you could also contact the forced marriage unit- 020 7008 0151.
  • If you feel you are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) or cutting contact 999 immediately.
  • If you or someone you know is at risk of FGM or cutting you can contact the NSPCC anonymously on 0800 0283 550.
  • If you know a British national has been taken aboard to have female genital mutilation or cutting you should also contact to foreign and common wealth office on 020 7008 1500.

Everyday safety

There are certain things you can do to try and increase your safety.

  • If your abuser follows you, try to vary your routine, your journey to work and the times you work for example
  • Stay safe online – change your passwords regularly and remember to delete your browsing history
  • Carry a personal alarm
  • Consider downloading a personal safety app onto your phone – for example Holly Guard
  • Make sure family, teachers and friends (not mutual) know what’s going on and agree a code word that alerts them to call the police. If you have a personal alarm you could signal for help by throwing it from a window too
  • Be honest about what’s happening to you, and how you are feeling, so you can get help and support
  • Keep and/or make copies of personal and important documents somewhere safe and accessible or with someone trusted.

Ways your Domestic Abuse Practitioner can help

Your Domestic Abuse Practitioner may be able to help with the following:

Home security

  • Referring for a free forensic security assessment of your property
  • Installation of recommended safety measures/devices at your address
  • Emergency Lock Changes (social landlord tenants only)
  • Discuss your options as an joint- owner occupier in regards to home security
  • Arranging for the landlord to provide additional security measures or repairs
  • Help you liaise with your private or social landlord for support
  • Providing immediate security measures/devices – for example a personal safety alarm, swift locks for your internal doors
  • A police marker on your property (high risk cases only)

Taking action to prevent abuse

Your Domestic Abuse Practitioner can help:

  • Discuss your options regarding civil protective measures – including non-molestation orders & occupation orders
  • Discuss family law options for matters relating to children – such as child arrangement and contact orders, prohibited steps orders
  • Refer you for civil legal advice and guidance
  • Offer Court IDVA support and advice on self-representing in the civil courts if you are not eligible for legal aid

They can also advise on:

  • Reporting breaches of existing restraining orders
  • Purpose of Domestic violence protection orders (DVPO’s)
  • Your criminal reporting rights and the criminal justice system
  • Support available for court
  • Forced marriage protection orders
  • Female genital mutilation protection orders
  • Claire’s Law Applications and Disclosures

Planning to leave

If you are planning to leave, contact us for tailored safety advice and guidance on 01744 743200.  As well as safety planning, your domestic abuse practitioner can provide help and support around moving for your safety.

Safe2Speak can offer support to help you access refuge space if you are no longer safe at home and need to move immediately.

If it’s an emergency & you are in immediate risk or danger, always contact 999.

If it is not accessible or safe for you to make a telephone call to Safe2Speak in the first instance- you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for online support. 

As well as reaching out for specialist support in advance if you can, here are some things you might want to consider if you’re planning to leave

  • Creating an emergency bag: only if it’s safe to do so without your abuser noticing, keep a bag with some cash, important documents – may be copies if that is safer (including birth certificates, marriage certificates, tenancy/mortgage documents, ID documents, National Insurance Number, driving licence), a set of keys, some clothes, any medication, phone charger and emergency numbers. This could be kept safe at a neighbour or friend’s house, or your place of work so you can leave in a hurry and still have your essentials.
  • Making a plan: Think about your partners’ routines and choose a safe time to leave your home. Consider where they will be, and plan a safe route – for example, you might want to avoid using a local taxi service app if you may have used your account before on the person’s phone.
  • Arranging a place to stay: This might be the home of a trusted friend or family member, but make sure your abuser doesn’t know the location you have fled to. Or you might want to go into a refuge. As someone fleeing domestic abuse, you can seek housing advice from any local authority even if you do not live in the local area. Find out more about your housing options here.
  • Consider your online safety & privacy:  National charity Refuge have a designated Tech Abuse website where you can find guides on how to take control of your tech if it’s safe to do so. Important -some actions to increase your security or privacy might alert an abuser.

We're here for you

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01744 743200

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01925 220541

“Felt really supported in a dark time, I was allowed to open up. I felt so relieved that I can’t describe it. They are doing a brilliant job”

If you are seeking support or emergency accommodation in relation to domestic abuse you can contact the Domestic Violence Helpline on 01925 220 541. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone can access this service – you do not need to be a Torus tenant.

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