Safety

Most women and children who are affected by domestic violence and abuse know how to  keep themselves safe. They develop strategies to avoid situations, to try to protect themselves, sometimes without even realising.

If you have children, teach them their address, how to call 999 and plan what they should do in an emergency - where they should go and what they should do to be safe.

In an emergency, please call 999 if you can.

If you are living in an abusive situation, and are thinking of leaving, remember this can be a very vulnerable time. If you need to flee with nothing, then don’t worry - refuge’s will help you as much as possible to start over, your safety is more vaulable than a possession.

If you are planning to leave:

• plan to leave when your partner/family member will not be around
• try not to tell anyone where you are going, you can always assure them you are safe at a later date
• try to keep some money secret that you will be able to access
• take some identification, especially something with your NI number on it
• take as much documentation as you can - ie child benefit books, rental agreements
• bring some clothing and toiletries for you and your children
• if you have children, bring their favourite toy to help them settle
• if you are taking any medicines, bring them too