CAS
Safety planning
- Safety planning is thinking about and developing a plan of action for situations when you feel unsafe
- The best way to make a safety plan is with help from a domestic, family and sexual violence support service, such as 1800RESPECT
- Trusted friends, family members and advocates can also support with safety planning
- If you would like help to make a safety plan, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit our website for online chat and video call services - available 24/7.
What is safety planning?
Safety planning means thinking about ways to stay as safe as possible while experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence. Every plan is different because everyone’s situation and needs are different.
You can create a safety plan on your own or with help from someone you trust. You can also get support from a domestic, family and sexual violence service like 1800RESPECT.
Creating your safety plan
If you’re making a safety plan for yourself, you may have ideas about what the plan should include to support your safety. These might include:
- contacting the police or calling 000 if you are in danger
- contacting a trusted friend or family member if you are not safe
- keeping your mobile phone with you at all times, or having a second, safe mobile phone
- deciding on a safe place to go if you need to leave quickly
- talking with your children about how they can be part of the safety plan
- planning who can care for your pets
- packing key items in case you need to leave quickly
You can start your safety plan and keep it somewhere private and safe. You might choose to share your safety plan with someone you trust.
Support services, like 1800RESPECT, can help you plan actions that support your safety and are right for your situation.
You can visit our safety planning checklist here.
To learn more about making a safety plan, you can watch the video below.
Reviewing your safety plan
It’s helpful to update your safety plan when things change. For example, if you move house or your relationship changes. This could include if you leave the relationship or the person using violence leaves. Even if the person using violence is no longer around, you may still feel unsafe.
Support services, like 1800RESPECT, can help you review and update your safety plan if your situation changes.
Planning to leave, or have left, a violent partner?
For some women, violence can begin, continue or increase during or after a separation (ABS 2023). Making a safety plan can be an important way to support your safety and help manage risks during this time. Remember to trust your instincts and think about what has helped keep you safe in the past. Build your safety plan around what works for you, 1800RESPECT can help.
Are you supporting someone?
If you care about someone who is experiencing domestic and family violence, your support can play an important role in helping them. You can start by listening. A person experiencing violence knows their own situation best and may already be taking steps to stay safe. Remember not to judge or make decisions for them. 'Just leaving' is not always a safe option. In fact immediately after separation is a time of great risk of violence.
Support services like 1800RESPECT are also available to help family and friends as well as workers supporting someone affected by violence.
