What We Do > Safety Planning

Safety Planning

»	Safety Planning for Victims of Domestic Violence > click here
»	Sexual Assault Safety Planning & Risk Reduction > click here

For Victims of Domestic Violence
Battered women may face numerous risks on a daily basis, but planning ahead can enhance safety during or after a violent incident. Please contact DASI for an appointment, or call the 24-hour Helpline for assistance in developing a personalized safety plan for you and your family.

This brief outline may help you get started:

• Plan and practice how to get safely out of the house, and think about where you will go. Make sure your children understand this as well.
• Keep wallet, purse, keys, cash, medications, and important papers and phone numbers in an accessible place so that you can grab them if you need to leave quickly.
• Tell trusted neighbors about the violence and ask that they call the police if they hear suspicious noises. Set up a code word or signal with them if necessary.
• Teach children to call 911.
• During an argument, remain in rooms with access to an outside door if possible.
• Obtain prepaid phone cards or use a friend’s phone to keep communications confidential.

Safety planning with a restraining order, or when your partner has left the home:

• Always keep your restraining order on or near your person. Remember it when you change handbags.
• Give copies of the restraining order to police departments in the community where you live and visit or work on a regular basis. Give copies to your children’s schools.
• Inform trusted friends, clergy, and your employer that you have a restraining order in effect.
• You may call the police if your partner violates the restraining order.
• Prepare a safety plan, or alter your usual routine when leaving work, or when grocery shopping, banking, etc.
• Change the locks and/or install a security system. Increase outdoor lighting.
• Ask neighbors to call the police if they see your partner near your house.

Safety and your emotional health:

• Have a plan for when you feel depressed and alone and tempted to return to a potentially abusive situation.
• Have a plan for when you must communicate with your partner in person or by phone.
• Read and learn about the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse in relationships.
• Enlist the support of trusted family and friends.
• Reach out for services designed to help, such as counseling and support groups at your local domestic violence program.

Sexual Assault Safety Planning & Risk Reduction
It is often the case that an act of sexual violence will surprise the victim.  The offender may be someone known to the victim or a stranger.  The following guidelines are helpful for keeping an individual safe from someone who is intent on doing harm.

Be Prepared
Common sense things we sometimes forget:

• Stay in groups, there is safety in numbers.
• Plan your outings and let friends and loved ones know your plans.
• Reduce alcohol consumption. Studies indicate that the most common date rape drug is alcohol.
• Never leave a drink unattended. Educate yourself about date rape drugs.
• Walk only in well-lit areas.
• Keep the doors to homes and cars locked.
• Know where a phone is located.
• Don't go anywhere alone with someone unless you know the person very well and trust him or her.

Be Alert
You should be especially alert if the person you are with:

• Ignores, interrupts, or makes fun of you
• Sits or stands too close to you or stares at you
• Has a reputation for being a "player"
• Drinks too much or uses drugs; tries to get you to use drugs or alcohol
• Tries to touch or kiss you or gets into your "personal space" when you barely know him or her
• Wants to be alone with you before getting to know you, or pressures you to be alone together
• Does what he or she wants without asking what you want
• Gets angry or sulks if he or she doesn't get what he or she wants
• Pressures you to have sex, or tries to make you feel guilty for saying "no."

Trust your instincts;
if a place or person feels unsafe, it probably is.

• Watch for signs of trouble such as strangers in private areas or persons loitering in places where they shouldn't be.
• If you sense trouble, get to a safe place as soon as possible.
• If you feel you are in danger, attract help any way you can.

Be Assertive
Act confidently and assured.  Offenders target vulnerable individuals.

• Being assertive means that you state what you want.
• Remember: "No" means "No." If you do not want to be intimate with another person, tell him or her clearly. Use a confident voice and body posture.
• Match your body language to your words - don't laugh and smile while saying "No."
• Do not just "go along" for the wrong reasons.

Safety Planning After a Sexual Assault
Following a sexual assault the victim may feel unsafe. Call the DASI HELPLINE, 973-875-1211, when you feel unsafe or need to safety plan.

Safety in Your Own Residence

• You can change the locks on my doors and windows as soon as possible.
• You can install security systems including additional locks, window bars, poles to wedge against doors, an electronic system, etc.
• You can install lighting system that lights up when a person is coming close to my house.
• You can notify friends and family of your safety concerns.
• You can keep the doors and windows locked.
• You can preprogram home and cell phone for 9-1-1

Be Alert

• As soon as you get in your car lock your car doors.
• Trust your instincts; if a place or person feels unsafe, it probably is.
• Watch for signs of trouble such as strangers in private areas or persons loitering in places where they shouldn’t be.
• If you sense trouble, get to a safe place as soon as possible.
• If you feel you are in danger, attract help any way you can.
• Seek shelter at DASI

Protective Orders
Based on your relationship to the offender and/or the status of criminal charges against the offender you may be eligible to receive a restraining order.  

Adapted with permission from the US Army Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program http://www.sexualassault.army.mil/content/prev_reduce_victim.cfm