Whether you are currently in an abusive relationship, are preparing to leave, or have already left, it is important to have a safety plan. A safety plan is a personalized set of actions that can lower your risk of harm in situations where violence could occur. It can be hard to think clearly and logically in moments of distress, so having a safety plan prepared in advance can help you prepare for and respond to different situations that could arise. It is always important to have a safety plan, but it is especially important if the violence in your home keeps getting worse, or if you are planning to leave the relationship (some people call this fleeing). Leaving has been shown to be the most dangerous time in an abusive relationship. When possible, it is best to safety plan with a domestic violence advocate like the advocates at The Second Step. Domestic violence advocates receive special training on how to keep you and your loved ones the safest, and can help you come up with options you haven’t yet considered. We recognize that sometimes it is not possible to safety plan with a trained advocate, so here are some general safety tips that apply to many situations:
When you speak with an advocate at The Second Step, they will ask you questions about your current situation and level of safety. Some of those questions might include:
These questions are not intended to judge you, scare you, or cast blame on any actions you have or have not already taken. Advocates are here to help you, not judge you, and need information about the situation to do so. These questions are intended to help advocates work with you to make an accurate and useful safety plan.
If you would like to safety plan with an advocate here at The Second Step, call our intake line at 617-965-2538 and someone will return your call.
If you need 24/7 help safety planning outside of business hours, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Supporting survivors of domestic violence in their transition to self-sufficient living.
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