The following steps represent my plan for increasing my safety and preparing in advance for the possibility of further violence.

Although I do not have control over my partner's violence, I do have a choice about how to respond to him and how to best get myself and my children to safety.

1. If we are going to have an argument, I can try to move to a space that is lowest risk, such as _________________________________________.
   (Try to avoid arguments in the bathroom, garage, kitchens, near weapons or in rooms without access to an outside door.)
2. If it is not safe to stay, I can _______________________________.
   (Practice how to get out safely. What doors, windows, elevators, stairwells, or fire escapes would you use?
3. I can keep my purse and car keys ready and put them ___________________________ so that I can leave quickly.
4. I can tell _____________________ and ________________________ about the violence and ask them to call the police if they hear suspicious noises coming from my home.
5. I can use ________________________________________ as my code word with my children or my friends so they can call for help.
6. I can teach my children how to use the telephone to contact the police and the fire department.
7. If I have to leave my home, I can go ______________________________________ or _________________________________________ or ________________________.
   (Decide this even if you don't think there will be a next time.)

1. I can leave money and an extra set of keys with _______________________________ so that I can leave quickly.
2. I can keep copies of important documents or keys and some extra clothes with __________________________________________.
3. I can open a savings account to increase my independence.
   (Preferably opened in a separate bank from the one that you and your spouse use jointly.)
4. Other things I can do to increase my independence include: __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________.
5. The domestic violence program's hotline number is ___________________. I can keep change for phone calls with me at all times. I understand that if I use my telephone credit card, the following month's telephone bill will tell my batterer those numbers that I called after I left. To keep my telephone communications confidential, I can either use coins or I might get a friend to permit me to use his/her telephone credit card for a limited time when I first leave.
6. I can check with ___________________________ and ______________________ and ________________________________________ to see who would be able to let me stay with them or lend me some money.
7. I can sit down and review my safety plan every ______________________________ so that I know the safest way to leave my home.
8. I can rehearse my escape plan and, as appropriate, practice it with my children.

1. If my partner no longer lives with me, I can take action to ensure my safety and my children's safety in my home. Safety measures I can use include:
   1. I can change the locks on my doors and windows as soon as possible.
   2. I can replace wooden doors with steel/metal doors.
   3. I can install security systems including additional locks, window bars, poles to wedge against doors, an electronic system, etc.
   4. I can purchase rope ladders to be used for escape from second floor windows.
   5. I can install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor in my home.
   6. I can install an outside lighting system that lights up when a person is coming close to my home.
2. I can teach my children to _____________________________ when I am not available.
3. I can inform _______________________ and _____________________________ about who has permission to pick up my children.
4. I can teach my children how to use the telephone to make a collect call to me and to ____________________________________ in the event that my partner abducts them.
5. I can inform ___________________________ and ____________________ that my partner no longer lives with me and they should call the police if he is observed near my home.

1. I can keep my protective order __________________________________.
   (Always keep it on or near your person. If you change purposes, that is the first thing that should go in.)
2. If my partner breaks the protective order, I can ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________.
3. If the police are not responsive, I can _____________________________________.
4. I can inform ____________________________________ and _________________ that I have a protective order in effect.
5. If my partner destoys my protective order, I can get another copy from the _________________________________________ District Court.

1. I can inform ____________________________________ and _______________ and ____________________________ at work of my situation.
2. I can use voice mail, the receptionist or a co-worker to help screen my telephone calls at work.
3. When leaving work, I can _____________________________________________.
4. If problems occur when I am driving home, I can ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ .
5. If I use public transportation, I can ______________________________________.
6. I can also ________________________________________________________.

The use of any alcohol or other drug can reduce a woman's awareness and ability to act quickly to protect herself from her battering partner. Furthermore, the batterer's use of alcohol or other drugs may give him/her an excuse to use violence. Therefore, in the context of alcohol or other drug consumption, a woman needs to make specific safety plans.

1. If I am going to consume alcohol or other drugs, I can do so in a safe place with people who understand the risk of violence and are committed to my safety.
2. I can also _________________________ or ______________________________.
3. If my partner is consuming, I can ________________________________________.
4. To protect my children, I might _______________________________________ or _______________________________________ _______________________________________.

1. If I feel down and ready to return to a potentially abusive situation, I can ____________________________________________.
2. When I have to communicate with my partner in person or by telephone, I can ____________________________________________.
3. I can try to use positive self-talk with myself and be assertive with others. I can tell myself that I don't deserve to be beaten whenever I feel others are trying to control or abuse me.
4. I can read ______________________________ to help me feel stronger.
5. I can call ____________________________________ and __________________ and ___________________________________ as additional resources to support me.

www.tndagc.com

District Attorney General's Office Courts Building 600 Market Street, Suite 310 Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone: (423) 209-7400

www.hamiltontn.gov