Develop a Safety Plan

The following safety plan is adapted from the Domestic Violence Safety Plan developed in cooperation by the RI Police Chiefs Association, funded by the Domestic Violence Training & Monitoring Unit and the RI Supreme Court.
It is important for you to make a safety plan for you, your family and your pets. Safety during an argument, while planning to leave your abuser, in your workplace and for your family and pets requires careful planning. The following tips may assist you when dealing with the following situations.

Planning for Safety During an Argument

Ensure arguments are confined to areas where you have an exit and weapons are not available.
Identify the doors, windows and exits that are best suited for you to access during a violent incident.
Prepare a bag of necessary belongings and keep it in a secure location for quick departure.
Seek a neighbor who will call police if they hear a situation that sounds unsafe in your home.
Devise a code word that signals to family, friends, children when it is time to call the police.
Teach children to dial and speak to 911 operators.
Have a place to go.
Use your judgment and make sure that you are not in danger. Leave when you can safely do so.
Preparing to Leave:

When you are preparing to leave your home it is important that you take the time to make copies of important documents and to plan on taking the following documents and other items with you.

CHECK LIST

• Identification
• Drivers license
• Children's birth certificates
• Your birth records
• Money
• House deed, lease, rental agreement
• Bank books
• Insurance papers
• House keys
• Medication
• Address book
• Photo's, sentimental treasures and other non-replaceable personal items
• Medical records for all family members
• Social security cards
• Welfare Identification
• School records
• Work permits
• Green card
• Passport
• Divorce papers
• Jewelry
• Children's small toys
• Safety plan when preparing to leave

Pet Safety

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) offers the following insight and advice to assist you in recognizing an unsafe situation for yourself and your pets. According to HSUS, harming an animal is a warning sign of other potential violence. Just as you need to make a safety plan for you and your children, you may want to develop a safety plan for your pet. The most important part of your plan is identifying shelter options for your pet. You may want to:

Ask friends or family members if they can house and/or care for your pet. Encourage temporary caregivers not to disclose the location of your pet. Keep copies of veterinary records and vaccination certificates in a safe place in the event you need them to establish a medical history or ownership of your pet. Remove any identification tags from your pets collars that could identify the household you are leaving. Have leashes, carriers, medicines and food ready for when you move with your pet to a safe location.

If you determine that it is not safe to remove your pet in the presence of your abuser, remember pets are recognized as property and you should be accompanied by a law enforcement officer when attempting to move your pet.

The Women’s Resource Center of Newport & Bristol Counties and local animal shelters have joined forces to provide information and assistance to domestic violence victims who have pets and who need to flee their homes for safety. Many victims do not want to leave their pets behind, fearing that their abuser will continue to, or begin to, inflict injury on a family pet. Local animal shelters have established a foster care program to provide shelter for pets while victims and children are housed in the Center’s shelter.

Highlights of the agreement are as follows:

Local animal shelters, a designated foster home, or a veterinarian will provide care for your pet while you are unable to care for your pet.

Pets who are not spayed or neutered will be sterilized while in the care of local animal shelters .
Local animal shelters offers flexibility in the length of care for your pet provided you communicate your needs with the local animal shelter.

You do not need to remain in an unsafe situation because of your love for your pet. Staff at the Center can assist you with making arrangements for your pets. Keep yourself and your pets safe.

The most important step you can take now, is to plan for your and your children's safety in the event you can not avoid a violent situation. Identify a relative, friend, or trusted person and share your plan with them. They can be your most valuable asset in a crisis. Preparing them is as important as preparing yourself. They may save your life and that of your children.

There are a number of web sites offering forms that you can download to help you formulate your personal safety plan or you can call the Women's Resource Center hotline at (401)847-2533/(401)846-5263 or (401)247-2070(east-bay area)

Check back for links to those sites or search by typing in "domestic violence safety plan" under a search