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Domestic violence

Safety planning

If you are still living with or have contact with your abusive partner

You could increase your safety by:

You could increase your children's safety by:

• Explaining that they should not get involved in an incident, even if they want to help;
• Showing them how to use the telephone to dial 999, ask for the police, and state their address;
• Showing them how to get out of the house safely;
• Telling them where they can go to ask for help.

If you are planning to leave, you could pack a bag with some essential items (passports, benefit books, legal papers, spare cash, a list of emergency numbers, medicines, etc.), leaving it with a trusted neighbour or friend, or hiding it. Do not pack a bag if you think that your abuser could find it .

If your abusive partner is no longer living with you

You could increase your safety at home by:

• Contacting Calderdale Sanctuary Scheme for advice on remaining safely in your own home. Security measures can be put in whether it's your own home, housing association or private landlord.
  For information contact:
  Housing Advice Centre: 01422 392460
  Domestic Violence Support Team: 01422 323339
  Domestic Violence Unit, West Yorkshire Police: 01422 337041
  Sanctuary Scheme: 0845 757 3263;
• Arranging to have your door locks changed, and to have extra security measures installed (window locks, for example). You may be able to have these security measures fitted free of charge. Contact Calderdale Police Domestic Violence Unit (01422 337041) for further details;
• Changing your phone number, or taking advice on how to deal with malicious or nuisance calls from a BT personal advisor on (freephone) 0800 661 441;
• Arranging to have legal advice, or apply for court orders to protect you;
• Asking a worker at the Domestic Violence Support Team (01422 323339) for Safety Advice;
• Asking the Domestic Violence Support Team or Police Domestic Violence Unit for a personal alarm;
• Telling a trusted neighbour or friend about your situation, and asking them to contact the police if they see your abuser approaching your house;
• Always checking who is at your door before you open it.
  

Outside the home

You can increase your safety outside the home by:

• Telling your boss or security workers about your situation;
• Planning a few safe routes home from work, school, college, or town;
• Not leaving the workplace alone (for lunch, for example);
• Avoiding the routines that you had when living with your partner;
• Shopping at a different time to usual, and choosing a different supermarket or shop;
• Opening a new bank account with a different bank;
• Asking your colleagues and your children's teachers not to pass on your address or telephone number under any circumstances;
• Keeping a mobile phone and emergency numbers with you at all times;
• Keeping any court orders and legal papers with you at all times.

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