If you have experienced violence in your relationship before, or you fear that a violent incident will occur in the future, consider making the following safety plans in advance:
- Make and practice plans to get out of your home when violence may occur
- Determine which rooms in your house are safest and make sure you can access a phone there
- Keep extra keys in a safe, accessible place
- Tell a friend or neighbour that you trust to call the police in the event of suspicious noises
- Develop a visual code (turning on a certain light, closing a particular curtain, or using a word) that tells friends and neighbours that you are in trouble
- Keep a bag of clothes, emergency money, and medications at a trusted friend’s or neighbour’s house for safe, quick access
- Keep crisis line numbers handy