Safety Planning 

Are you being abused and planning to leave? Consider these action items in your planning:

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•  Do not tell your partner that you are thinking of leaving

• When you do leave, make a plan to bring your children with you

• Plan your emergency exits

• Open a bank account in your name or in the name of a person you trust. Make sure bank statements are not mailed to your home

• Hide extra clothing, house keys, car keys, money etc. at a trusted friend's house

• Save as much cash as you can and set money aside for taxis, phone cards or pay phones

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Items to pack:

• Prescription medications for you and your children

• Keep emergency phone numbers with you at all times

• Keep an address book of trusted friends / family

• Small valuables that you can sell if needed

• Have an emergency suitcase packed, if possible store it in a safe place outside of the home

• Include some special toys and comforts for your children

• Irreplaceable and sentimental items 

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Important documents to pack:

1. Passports

2. Marriage certificates

3. Immigration papers

4. SIN cards

5. Bank cards

6. Banking information

7. Status Cards

8. Health cards

9. Birth certificates

10. Driver's license

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Legal documents to pack:

• Divorce papers

• Order of protection papers

• Restraining orders

• Custody papers

• If possible, bring documents that prove you have been living at the same address as your partner

• Lease or rental agreement, house deed, etc.

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Leaving the Home

Trust your instinct and judgements to keep you and your children safe.

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• Where is the abuser? Inside or outside the home?

• Where are the children? Inside or outside the home? If they are not at home, make arrangements for pick up

• Identify which doors, windows, elevators or stairs will be safe and easily accessible

• Have a packed bag ready. Keep it in an accessible place in order to leave quickly

• Transportation: Do you have a car, is there enough gas in the car? Can you get a ride? Are you taking a bus? Do you have money for a taxi?

• If it is unsafe to wait for a taxi in your home, go to a neighbour's house or a close public area like a store or coffee shop.

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