Creating a Safety Plan: Steps Toward Safety in an Abusive Relationship

For someone living in an abusive relationship, safety can feel uncertain and out of reach. While leaving may not always be possible right away, creating a safety plan can provide a sense of control and increase protection during dangerous moments.

A safety plan is a personalized, practical strategy that helps survivors prepare for unsafe situations, whether they choose to stay, prepare to leave, or have already left.

Key Elements of a Safety Plan

1. Emergency Contacts

   • Memorize important phone numbers (friends, family, local shelter, hotline).

   • Keep a phone accessible at all times, if possible.

2. Safe Places

   • Identify exits in your home.

   • Know where you could go in an emergency (trusted friend, shelter, public place).

   • Teach children how to call 911 and where to go if violence occurs.

3. Essential Items to Prepare

   • Copies of important documents (ID, birth certificates, medical cards, bank info).

   • A set of keys, cash, medications, and emergency clothing.

   • Store items in a safe place where the abuser won’t find them—perhaps with a trusted friend.

4. Technology Safety

   • Change passwords regularly.

   • Turn off location tracking on devices.

   • Use caution when calling or texting for help if your phone is monitored.

5. During a Violent Incident

   • Avoid rooms with weapons (like the kitchen) or hard-to-escape areas.

   • Use your judgment—sometimes survival means staying calm until you can safely get away.

6. After Leaving

   • Change locks and secure your home if possible.

   • Inform trusted neighbors or coworkers to call for help if they see the abuser nearby.

   • Update your safety plan regularly as your situation changes.

Supporting Someone Else with a Safety Plan

If someone you know is in an abusive relationship, encourage them to create a plan—but let them decide what feels safe. Offer resources, listen without judgment, and remind them they are not alone.

Final Thought

A safety plan cannot stop abuse, but it can help survivors be prepared, empowered, and safer during dangerous moments. Taking these steps can make a critical difference in navigating the path toward freedom and healing.

💜 If you or someone you know is in danger, call 911 immediately. For confidential help, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788.