Safety Planning
If you (or someone you know) is planning to leave an abusive relationship, this can be a dangerous time. If an abuser suspects you’re preparing to leave, they may fear losing power and control and can act impulsively — often increasing their use of violence.
That’s why it’s important to make a safety plan.
If you have to flee, try to take:
- Important papers: birth certificates, driver licence, passports, IRD numbers, any court documents (Protection Order, Parenting Order, bail conditions)
- Banking: EFTPOS/ATM cards, credit cards, bank account numbers, online banking details (if safe)
- Some money (even a small amount helps)
- An extra set of keys (house, car, work)
- Medications and prescriptions (and any important medical info)
- Phone numbers and addresses for whānau/family, friends, doctors, lawyers, schools and community agencies
- Clothing, toiletries and comfort items for you and the children (including nappies, special toys/blankets if possible)
Home & Personal Safety Plan
- Consider an unlisted phone number
- Apply to be on the unpublished electoral roll (for information call 0800 36 76 56)
- If possible, carry a cell phone for emergencies — even a pre-pay with no credit can still call 111
- Remove anything personal from your rubbish/recycling (documents, packaging, letters)
- Keep windows and doors locked; consider deadbolts if possible
- If travelling by car, change your route to and from work/regular places
- Keep emergency numbers easy to access
- Tell trusted people what’s happening; create a signal/code to show you need help
- Map out an escape route (and practise it if you can)
- If children are involved, teach them a plan and make sure they know how to call 111 and what to say
- For more safety planning info, you can also refer to National Women’s Refuge
Workplace Safety Plan
- Encourage the person to talk to their supervisor or a designated staff member (HR, security, EAP, owner/manager) and make a safety plan — including a recent photo of the perpetrator
- Consider applying for a Protection Order that includes the workplace, and keep a copy on hand. They may also give a copy to police, HR, security, or their manager
- Save any threatening emails, texts, messages, or voicemails (these may support future legal action or show a Protection Order has been breached)
- Name an emergency contact in case the employee is missing or unreachable
- Create a code word/phrase so they can alert others to danger
- Review the workstation location: can it be moved away from public access, stairs, lifts/elevators? Can barriers be added?
- Arrange priority parking near the building and/or a security escort
- Arrange someone to walk them to their car or public transport stop; consider carpool options
- Plan phone safety: who answers calls, how calls are screened, whether the number can be changed, and whether the person can be removed from directories/automated messages
- Consider whether pay can be delivered to another location
- Identify co-workers trained in security and ensure the employee knows how to report incidents under workplace policy
- Don’t share information. Perpetrators can be skilled at getting details from co-workers
- Most importantly: ask the person what would help them feel safer — they know the perpetrator best
Can Pets Come Too?
We understand pets are whānau/family — and they deserve to be safe too.
Research shows animal cruelty can be part of family violence.
If you’re worried about your pet’s safety, tell us when you call.
