The Safety Plan

 

If you are being abused, don’t wait until you are in danger to think about what to do. Know what the options are to keep yourself safe at all times. Here are some ideas to help you come up with your own personalized safety plan:

 

 

●     Who can you tell that can help you stay safe? Can you tell your parents? What about teachers? Counselors? Neighbors? What friends can you trust?

 

●     Do you have a phone to call 911 in case of emergency? Remember a cellphone does not have to have a service plan to call 911.

 

●Is there a safe place that you can go in case of an emergency? If you are over 18, this place could be an emergency shelter. It could also be the house of a friend or relative that you feel safe with and your abuser doesn’t know about.

 

●     Keep your family and friends informed about where you are going to be as much as possible.

 

●     Can you travel with a buddy to school or class? If you normally walk to school, can you catch a ride with a friend or have a family member drop you off? Can you make plans to go out in groups or with friends? Try not to be out alone.

 

●     Keep some change for the bus or a taxi, and/or know who you can call for a ride in case of emergency. Keep their phone numbers with you at all times.

 

●     Can you change the number on your cell phone, or get a new cellphone with a different number? Can you start a new email account and  change your screennames? Change the privacy settings on social networks? Don’t tell your abuser what your new information is, and even with privacy settings, be very careful about posting personal information online.

 

●     If you are going to break up with an abusive boyfriend or girlfriend, plan ahead as to how you are going to end the relationship in a safe way. When you are done, be done. You cannot be “just friends”  with someone who has abused or controlled you, and you shouldn't feel bad about telling them so.

 

●     Never agree to meet your abuser alone, no matter how much they apologize or say that they have changed. If you need to get back your belongings, bring an adult you trust and/or try to arrange ahead of time to do it when you know that they won’t be home.

 

●     If your boyfriend or girlfriend has been physically violent with you, keep a written record of all the times they abused you.  Collect evidence: take photos of any injuries or damages, print any emails that they send, and file police reports if necessary. If you are injured, go to a doctor and tell them everything that happened. Keep all your notes and records in a safe place.

 

●     Depending on the situation, you or your parents may be able to file for a PFA.  Know what your options are- PFAs do not work for everyone. You can learn more by calling SafeNet  at  (814) 454-8161.

 

●     Call SafeNet’s Hotline (814) 454-8161 or the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline

1 (866) 331-9474. Both numbers are free and confidential (you don’t even have to tell them your name). They have counselors who can answer your questions at any time of day or night.

 

●     What else can you do to keep yourself safe?

If you would like to discuss your own personal safety plan please feel free to contact an advocate at SafeNet at 454-8161.