Emotional Health

The following information is from the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence:

This safety plan is for domestic violence victims of any age who may be abused by, or afraid of their spouse or partner, boyfriend or girlfriend, adult child or their family member. Safety planning helps develop tools in advance of potentially dangerous situations. Choose only the suggestions listed here that make sense for your set of circumstances.

Safety and Emotional Health

Think positive. You don’t deserve to be hit or threatened. Have positive thoughts about yourself and be assertive with others about your needs.

Read! Ask your local domestic violence victim service program and public library for materials that deal with domestic violence.

Get support. Call a domestic violence crisis help-line and/or attend a women’s or victims’ support group for at least two weeks to gain support from others and learn more about yourself and the relationship with your abuser.

Do what is safe for you. If you have to communicate with your abuser, arrange to do so in a way that makes you feel safe – whether by phone, mail or in the company of another person

Safety and Your Children

Tell schools and childcare. Let them know who has permission to pick up the child/ren and give them your code word. Discuss with them other special provisions to protect you and your child/ren. Provide a picture of the abuser, if possible.

Exchange child/ren in a safe place. Find a safe place to exchange the child/ren for visitation. Some communities have specific locations just for this purpose. Contact your local domestic violence victim service program for more information.