Safety planning - meaning and definition
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Definition
Safety planning is working out practical steps to reduce risk for someone experiencing abuse, stalking or threats, whether they plan to stay, leave or have already left.
At a glance
- Practical steps to reduce risk for someone experiencing abuse, stalking or threats.
- It applies whether someone plans to stay, leave or has already left.
- May include safe contacts, a code word, copies of documents and an emergency bag.
- Leaving an abusive partner can be a time of increased danger.
- Specialist domestic abuse advisers can help tailor a plan.
In detail
A safety plan might include safe people to contact, a code word with friends, copies of important documents kept elsewhere, an emergency bag, routes out of the home, and steps to secure phones and online accounts.
Leaving an abusive partner can be a period of increased danger, so specialist domestic abuse advisers often help build plans tailored to each situation. Local helplines and emergency services can advise confidentially.
In a sentence
- Her support worker helped with safety planning, including a code word to text her sister.
- Safety planning also covered changing passwords and checking her phone for tracking apps.
Common questions
What goes into a safety plan?
Common parts include people to contact in an emergency, a code word with friends or family, copies of important documents kept somewhere safe, an emergency bag, routes out of the home, and steps to secure phones and online accounts.
Do I have to leave to make a safety plan?
No. Safety plans are useful whether you are staying, planning to leave or have already left. A local domestic abuse helpline can help confidentially. If you are in danger, call your local emergency number.
Related terms
Sources
- RefugeWhat is domestic abuse?