KnowYourself

Self-Assessment

Safety, Injuries and Violence

Does She Have a Safety Plan?

Directions

On behalf of someone you know who is living in a battering environment, circle the response that indicates what preparations have been made to have a safety plan:
 
Yes No Does she have family and friends with whom she can stay?
Yes No Would she find a protective or restraining order helpful?
Yes No Can a victim advocate safely contact her at home? What should the advocate do if the batterer answers the phone?
Yes No Does she know how to contact emergency assistance (i.e., 911)?
Yes No If she believes the violence might begin or escalate, can she leave for a few days?
Yes No Does she know how to contact the shelter (if she doesn't, provide her with information for future use)?
Yes No Does she have a neighbor she can contact, or work out a signal for assistance, when violence erupts or appears inevitable?
Yes No If she has a car, can she hide a set of keys?
Yes No Can she pack an extra set of clothes for herself and the children, and store them -- along with an extra set of house and car keys -- with a neighbor or friend?
Yes No Can she leave extra cash, checkbook or savings account book hidden or with a friend for emergency access?
Yes No Can she collect and store originals or copies of important records such as birth certificates, social security cards, her drivers' license, financial records (such as banking and other financial accounts, mortgage or rent receipts, the title to the car, etc.) and medical records (for her children and herself)?
Yes No Does she have a concrete plan for exactly where she should go and how she can get there, at any time regardless of when she leaves?
Yes No Does she have a disability that requires assistance or a specialized safety plan?
Yes No Does she want access to counseling for her children or herself?

Scoring

Every “Yes” response indicates that progress is being made in terms of establishing a “safety plan.”  If and when a victim is able to leave her battering environment, it is essential that she has a "safety plan" to increase her opportunity for a successful departure. Advanced planning is crucial.

Source

This checklist was developed from information provided in the 1998 National Victim Assistance Academy by J.N. Burnley, C. Edmunds, M.T. Gaboury, & A. Seymour (Eds.).  Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice available at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/assist/nvaa/supp/m-ch14.htm
 

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Copyright 1999.
Judith A. Baker

All Rights Reserved.