Having a safety plan
Safety Planning Guidelines Personal Safety
- Seek medical attention and contact Police – 999
- Identify an escape plan – (dependent on if you want to leave)
- Identify your network of support (eg family, friends)
- Keep a mobile hidden for emergency use if possible
– Keep your mobile phone charged, switched on and topped up (and on silent if it is your “secret phone”). NB: you do not need credit to make 999 calls.
– Keep your mobile, keys/purse in an accessible place
– Take mobile, keys/purse to bed with you
- Keep windows and doors locked, even when you are in the house
- Place ID paperwork & essential documents in safe place or with trusted family/friend or solicitor
- Be aware that objects in your home could be used by the perpetrator as weapons
- Target Hardening/Sanction Scheme:
– WLDAS to consider additional Safety and Security on property:
– Police marker
– Personal alarms (where applicable)
– Installation of Police Panic Alarm (where applicable)
– WLDAS to source and secure refuge place
Safety in Public
- Carry a personal alarm
- Plan a safe route home – walk with friends, share a taxi.
- Vary routes and routines to make yourself difficult to follow.
- Keep in well lit, highly populated areas and main streets as much as possible
- If driving, lock your car doors
- Park in well lit, populated areas
- Tell someone where you are going and when you are expected back
- Be vigilant
- Keep your mobile phone in an easy to reach place – not buried in the bottom of your bag
- Ensure relevant agencies are aware of the situation including information in regards to parental responsibility / residency orders.
Safety with Injunctions
- Seek legal advice
- Keep a copy of your injunction readily available. Consider having several copies so that you can have one at home, one in your handbag, give copies to WLDAS keyworker or a member of staff, or to friends/family.
- Inform all significant parties of the terms of your order, eg employer, children’s school etc. (the police will already have a copy provided by the Court).
- Be prepared to enforce your order. In an emergency dial 999 to report a breach, otherwise use the police non-emergency number.
- Keep a diary to note the time, date and details of the breach. Include police log numbers.
- Inform your West Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Service key worker and your Solicitor of any breaches as soon as possible.