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My Personal Safety Plan

The following steps are my plan for increasing my safety and preparing to protect myself in case of further abuse.

Although I can't control my abuser's violence, I do have a choice about how I respond and how I get to safety. I will decide for myself if and when I will tell others that I have been abused, or that I am still at risk. Friends, family and co-workers can help protect me, if they know what is happening, and what they can do to help.

To increase my safety, I can do some or all of the following:

1. When I have to talk to my abuser in person, I can:


2. When I talk to my abuser on the phone, I can:


3. I will make up a "code word" for my family, co-workers, or friends, so they know when to call for help for me. My code word is:


4. When I feel a fight coming on, I will try to move to a place that is lowest risk for getting hurt such as:


or (at work):


or:


(at home) (in public)

5. I can tell my family, co-workers, boss, or a friend about my situation. I feel safe telling:


6. I can use an answering machine or ask my co-workers, friends or other family members to screen my calls and visitors. I have the right to not receive harassing phone calls. I can ask:


to help screen (home) (work) my phone calls.

7. I can keep change for phone calls with me at all times. I can call any of the following people for assistance or support if necessary and can ask them to call the police if they see my abuser bothering me.

friend:

relative:

co-worker:

counselor:

shelter:

other:


8. When leaving work I can:


9. When walking, riding or driving home, if problems occur, I can:


10. I can attend a support group for women who have been abused. Support groups are held:


at:


11. Telephone Numbers I Need to Know:

Police/Sheriffs Department:

Probation Officer:

Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program:

Counselor:

Clergy Person:

Attorney:

Other:


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