What is a safety plan?

A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan to help you stay as safe as possible if violence happens again or begins to escalate. It focuses on concrete steps you can take to protect yourself, your children, and anyone else who depends on you. A safety plan can be used whether you are staying, leaving, or have already left the relationship.

Safety During an Incident:

If you are in an unsafe situation right now, your safety is the priority.

Consider the following:

  • If you are in an unsafe situation right now, your safety is the priority.  
  • Consider the following:
  • Try to move to a room with an exit (door or window) and, if possible, a phone.  
  • Avoid rooms with weapons (like the kitchen or garage) and small enclosed spaces like bathrooms.  
  • If you can, call emergency services or a trusted person when it is safe to do so.  
  • If you have children, teach them how to call for help and not to intervene physically.

Safety When You Plan to Leave:

Leaving can be one of the most dangerous times, so careful planning can help.  

You may want to:

  • Identify a safe place you can go (friend, family, shelter, or safe house).  
  • Prepare a “go bag” that you can access quickly with essentials such as ID, keys, medications, important documents, some cash or bank cards, and a change of clothes.  
  • Keep copies of important documents in a safe place outside the home if possible.  
  • Plan how you will leave (time of day, transportation, who will help you) and rehearse this plan in your mind or with a trusted person.

Safety After You Have Left:

Even after leaving, safety planning remains important.  

Consider:

  • Changing locks, securing windows, and improving lighting if you can.  
  • Varying your routines (routes to work or school, shopping times, etc.).  
  • Telling trusted neighbors, coworkers, or building staff that the person who hurt you should not be near you and asking them to call for help if they see anything concerning.  
  • Talking with a lawyer or advocate about protective orders and your legal options.

Safety with Children and Dependents:

Children and other dependents may need special planning.  

You may want to:

  • Create a code word or phrase that tells children when to go to a safe place or call for help.  
  • Teach children how and when to contact emergency services, and what to say.  
  • Inform schools, childcare providers, or caregivers who is allowed to pick up your children and share a photo or description of the person who should not have access, if it is safe to do so.  
  • Make a plan for how children will get to safety if something happens when you are not together.

Technology and Digital Safety:

Abusive partners sometimes use technology to monitor or control.  

Consider:

  • Changing passwords regularly and using strong, unique passwords for email, banking, and social media.  
  • Checking privacy and location settings on your phone and apps; turning off location sharing when possible.  
  • Using a safe device (library, work, trusted friend) when looking up sensitive information such as shelters or legal help.  
  • Clearing browser history or using private browsing when it is safe and appropriate.

Emotional Safety and Support:

Safety planning is not only about physical safety; emotional safety matters too.  

You might:

  • Identify people you can call, text, or message when you feel afraid, overwhelmed, or alone.  
  • Keep a list of crisis lines, supportive contacts, and coping strategies in a place you can access quickly.  
  • Build in small, safe moments of care for yourself—breathing exercises, grounding techniques, journaling, or other practices that help you stay centered.

How The Liefde Organization Can Help:

The Liefde Organization can help you create a personalized safety plan that fits your situation, culture, abilities, and needs.  

Through individual counseling, advocacy, and support, staff can:

  • Walk you step‑by‑step through safety options at home, at work, online, and in the community.  
  • Help you think through safety around leaving, legal processes, and parenting.  
  • Connect you with legal, housing, medical, and community resources that support your safety and well‑being.

 

If you are ready to talk about safety planning, you can contact The Liefde Organization to schedule a confidential appointment or speak with an advocate. You do not have to go through this alone.