Your Safety

For advice on how to cover your tracks online visit https://stopdomesticabuse.uk/cover-your-tracks

Protect yourself and your children by making a personal safety plan. It helps you to plan in advance against any future domestic violence and abuse.

There are a number of sites with useful information about safety planning including The Women’s Aid Survivors Handbook.

Think about where you would go in an emergency
Plan how you would respond in different situations including thinking about an escape route from each room in the house and which doors you would use
If you fear violence may occur avoid the kitchen and bathroom as these rooms have hard surfaces and may contain items which could be used as weapons
Consider agreeing a “code” with family and friends so that they can call police for help if you are unable to do so
Talk to neighbours (if possible) so that they are aware of the situation and can call police if they hear or see anything suspicious
Keep a mobile phone to hand and charged
Teach your children how to dial 999 in an emergency and what information they should provide, give them ‘permission’ to ring police
If safe to do so, pack an emergency bag (see below) and keep it either hidden at home or with a trusted neighbour, friend or family member
Try to keep keys and some money easily accessible so that you can leave quickly if needed
If you ring the police on 999 (press 55 if you are unable to speak) keep the phone line open, describe what is happening, where you are, where the perpetrator is, what he is doing etc so the police know what they are coming to and the call is recorded
In an emergency, always dial 999

Birth and marriage certificates
Passports, visas or any work permits
National insurance number
Money, bank or building society details, cheque books (if applicable), credit and debit cards
Keys for your home, workplace, vehicle
Details relating to any benefits you are entitled to including child benefit
medical cards, vaccination details, prescriptions, any prescribed medication
Driving licence, car registration documents and insurance documents (if applicable)
Copies of documents relating to your housing, such as mortgage documents or a tenancy or rental agreement
Any relevant legal documents (such as divorce papers, contact orders, injunctions)
A photograph of the perpetrator
Any small items of sentimental value, such as photographs, jewellery or a child’s soft toy
Clothing and toiletries

There are a number of ways you can help to increase your safety, including:

Tell trusted friends, family members, neighbours, your employer and those looking after your children (such as school, nursery, child minder) that you are no longer with the perpetrator.
If you are entitled to make adjustments to your property, consider changing or adding locks to doors and windows and other security measures such as smoke detectors/security lighting. We have specialised housing team members who can talk to you about The Sanctuary Scheme, designed to help anyone experiencing abuse to stay safe in their own home. The scheme is open to anyone who no longer lives with their partner.
Change your telephone numbers and use an answerphone to screen calls, alter your routines and avoid any places which you know the perpetrator frequents.
Keep a record of any incidents when the perpetrator harasses, threatens or intimidates you to include the date, time and what was said or done and report to police.