Domestic Violence Safety Plan

A practical guide for anyone preparing to leave an unsafe situation

Leaving domestic or family violence can be dangerous, and everyone’s situation is different. This plan offers general steps to help someone think ahead, stay safer, and prepare for an eventual escape. Encourage individuals to seek support from professionals who understand DV risk.

1. Preparation & Safety Awareness

Trust your instincts. If something feels unsafe, it probably is.
Identify your warning signs. Notice behaviours, words, or patterns that usually occur before violence escalates.
Plan where you can go in an emergency. This could be a neighbour, friend, 24/7 service, refuge, or public location.

2. Emergency Contacts

Create a list (kept somewhere safe or memorised) of:

A trusted friend or family member
Local DV services or hotlines
Crisis accommodation services
Your workplace or support workers
Children’s school or childcare contacts
000 (police, ambulance, fire)

3. Prepare a “Go Bag”

Keep it somewhere safe, hidden, or with a trusted person outside the home. Include:

ID documents (yours & children’s): driver’s licence, Medicare card, passports, birth certificates
Copies of important paperwork: lease, bank details, Centrelink, legal docs, medical info
Spare keys (house, car)
Medications and prescriptions
Basic clothing & hygiene items
Small amount of emergency cash
USB with scanned documents (if safe to create)
Sentimental items (only small items that won’t slow you down)

4. Technology & Communication Safety

Use a safe phone if possible — one the perpetrator cannot access, track, or monitor.
Turn off location services on phones and apps if safe to do so.
Change passwords to anything the perpetrator may know: email, banking, social media, MyGov, Centrelink.
Log out of shared devices.
Avoid searching escape-related information on shared devices or accounts.

Consider using computers at a library, work, or friend’s house

5. Financial Safety Preparation

If safe, slowly prepare:

A private bank account in your own name
Small savings kept in a safe location
Knowledge of how to access your banking online
Understanding of any joint debts, liabilities or financial risks

6. Children & Pets

Teach children a code word or phrase that means “go to our safe place” or “get help.”
Plan who will collect or care for pets if you need to leave suddenly — many refuges work with pet-safety programs.
Gather school documents, health records, and comfort items for kids.

7. Planning the Exit

Choose a time when the perpetrator is least likely to interfere (but only if safe — police can assist with immediate exits).
Know where you are going: shelter, trusted person, crisis accommodation, or a police station.
Tell only people you trust absolutely.
Arrange transport: car keys, someone picking you up, or knowing local taxi/Uber/public transport options.

If possible, practice leaving quickly with children

8. After Leaving

Contact police immediately if there’s a risk of harm.
Consider a protection order (AVO/APVO).
Update your address with services, but request silent address listings.
Ask your bank and utilities for family violence hardship support.
Strengthen digital security: new device passwords, two-factor authentication, private mode browsing.
Reach out to support services for:
- Housing
- Trauma counselling
- Financial assistance
- Legal support
- Safety planning for your new location

9. A Gentle Reminder

A person leaving violence needs:

Support, not pressure
Privacy, not judgment
Options, not orders

This guide is a starting point. The safest plan is one created with a DV professional who understands individual risks.