A checklist helps you stay safe before, during, and after leaving an abusive relationship. Remember, abuse is never your fault and you deserve to feel safe and secure.
There are four instrumental points in helping prevent a lethal outcome before a survivor walks out of the door:
Only you, the survivor knows when the best time is to leave. A survivor should always trust their gut when it comes to timing.
Find an advocate you can trust. Do not attempt to leave on your own. Call a domestic violence hotline or a shelter in your area to discuss options. Even if you’re not ready to leave yet, you can plan for someday and determine how to stay safe in the meantime.
Plan for a permanent change. When safety planning, make sure you assemble all essential items, including important documents and medications. The goal is to never have to return to the abuser again. A checklist can be found below.
Create emergency words or signals. A code word or phrase you can send to friends or family that will not arouse suspicion from the abuser like leaving the curtain up in the front window of your house. This will let the other person know that you are in danger, need help, and they should call 911.