Your Safety Plan

Safety Planning:

  • What is a safety plan?

    A Safety Plan is like a guide to help you stay safer if you're in a relationship where someone is hurting or controlling you. It's made just for you and your situation, and it helps you think ahead about what to do if things get worse. Your safety plan can change whenever you need it to, depending on what's happening and what will make you feel safest. It's all about helping you be ready and feel more secure, no matter what the person using abusive behavior might do.

  • Why are safety plans important?

    Everyone deserves to feel loved, respected, and safe in their relationships. When someone is in a relationship where they are being hurt or controlled, it's crucial to understand that it is not their fault. They cannot control the abusive behavior of the other person. This is where safety planning becomes so important. A safety plan helps to think of ways to stay as safe as possible, whether a person decides to end the relationship or not.

How do we make a safety plan?

  1. Take Your Time: Go through each section of the safety planning guide linked below at your own pace. The guide includes a series of questions to help you identify your safety options.

  2. Answer the Questions: Use the questions in the guide to think about different aspects of your safety. These questions are designed to help you come up with specific strategies that work for you.

  3. Get Support: You can use this tool on your own, or you can go through it with a friend or an adult you trust. Having someone supportive can help you think of ideas you might not have considered.

  4. Reach Out for Help: If you need assistance and don't know who to talk to, you can call our helpline at 1-800-315-5579. You'll speak with a kind, trained, non-judgmental advocate who can help you develop your safety plan. Keep in mind that advocates are mandated reporters and can talk to you about what that means.

Remember, your safety is important, and it's okay to ask for help when you need it.

Below is a packet with a few examples of things to think about when making a safety plan. Click the button below to download a copy of this packet! But be aware that this will automatically download this packet to your device.