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Whatever else you may decide to do, one thing that many victims of domestic violence find helpful is making a Safety Plan. You can make one yourself or you can call your local domestic violence program and ask them to help you develop a plan. If you decide to write out a safety plan, be sure to keep it in a place where your partner can't find it. Safety plans can be made for a variety of different situations - for dealing with an emergency such as when a physical assault occurs, for continuing to live with a partner who has been abusive, or for protecting yourself after you have ended a relationship with an abusive partner.

Whether you are with your partner or have ended the relationship and regardless of whether you have used the court system or called the police, there are certain things that are helpful to consider in planning for your future safety.

Personal Safety

  • Where can you keep important phone numbers (police, hotline, friends, shelter) for yourself and your children?

  • Is there anyone you can ask to call the police if they hear suspicious noises coming from your house or apartment?

  • If you need to get out of your house or apartment in a hurry, what door, window, elevator or stairwell will you be able to use in order to get out safely?

  • If you need a place to stay for a while, where can you go?

  • Can you arrange to stay with family or friends in a crisis?

  • Do you know how to contact the local domestic violence program in order to arrange for emergency shelter?

  • Where can you keep your purse, an extra set of car keys or money for public transportation, and some change to make a phone call so that you can grab them quickly?

  • Do your children know how to use the telephone to contact the police?

  • Is there a code word you can use with friends, family and/or your children to alert them to call for help?

  • Can you keep some money, some changes of clothes and important papers hidden somewhere your partner doesn't know about, but that you can get to quickly?

  • Can you keep the "escape bag" with a neighbor or in the trunk of your car?

  • If you think you and your partner are about to have an argument, how can you get to a room where there are fewer things that can be used as weapons?

  • How can you avoid getting trapped in the kitchen, bathroom, basement or garage?

  • Have a plan for getting out of your house or apartment in a hurry. What door, window, elevator or stairwell will you be able to use in order to get out safely?


    If you Need Help or if you wish to speak to a Domestic Violence Counselor, please refer to our 24 hour TTY Domestic Violence Hotline whose numbers are listed below.

    Please refer to our Internet Safety page for information regarding technology risks related to domestic violence.

    For general assistance please contact our office:

    NYSCADV
    350 New Scotland Avenue
    Albany New York, 12208
    Phone: 518-482-5465
    Fax: 518-482-3807
    Email: nyscadv@nyscadv.org

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      24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline
     English: 1-800-942-6906    English TTY: 1-800-818-0656
     Spanish: 1-800-942-6908    Spanish TTY: 1-800-780-7660
    Email: nyscadv@nyscadv.org
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