Safe plans
FOR CHILDREN
RUN TO YOUR SAFE PLACE.
YOUR SAFE PLACE IS____________________.
CALL 000 – an operator will answer “POLICE, FIRE, AMBULANCE”.
Then you say “POLICE!”
My name is_____________________________.
I am __________years old
I need help.
Send the Police. Someone is hurting my mum.
The address here is___________________________.
The number here is___________________________.
REMEMBER DON’T HANG UP!
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PERSONAL SAFETY PLAN
Checklist taken from 1800 Respect website
Safety planning checklist
This checklist suggests some of the things you might want to include in your safety plan
Talk to a support service for more ideas on keeping yourself and your children safe
The best way to make a safety plan is with the assistance of a support service.
If you would like support with making a safety plan, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or contact Esperance Crisis Accommodation Service
Safety at home
Speak to neighbours you know and trust. Ask them to call the police on 000 if they hear violence or abuse
If you are in assisted living, speak to a carer or other person you trust about what is happening
If you have children, help them to know the warning signs of danger.
Children should be able to discuss, plan and practise steps they can take to be safer at home when there is violence or abuse
Children need lots of affection and care when they are exposed to violence or abuse in their home
Have a safe place to go if you need to leave
In your wallet/mobile phone/safe place keep a list of important contacts you can call on in an emergency:
Local taxi services
Crisis accommodation centre
Phone number of the local police station
Learn how to increase your safety when you are using technology, like mobile phones or social media. Visit Technology and safety to find out more.
If possible and safe to do so, have a spare mobile phone with prepaid credit. This will mean you can contact support people and services without being monitored through phone bills or call logs.
Pack an escape bag in case you need to leave the house quickly
Have an escape plan ready for when you feel that it’s not safe to stay where you are.
Making an escape plan
Plan and practise the quickest way to leave where you are
Have a small escape bag ready with keys, money and other important things
Leave spare keys and copies of important papers with a family member, friend or someone you trust
Let a trusted person know that you may be calling on them if you have to leave quickly. Some people have a code word they agree to use. That way you can call even if the perpetrator can hear you.
If you have any mobility issues or disability arrange in advance for a friend or other support person to come straight away if you ring or text them
If you plan to leave and are worried about your pet, the RSPCA may be able to help with their Safe Bed for Pets program. Contact your local RSPCA to see if they have a program in your area.
Talk to your employer about paid family and domestic violence leave available to help employees experiencing domestic and family violence.
Safety after leaving a violent situation
Look at ways to increase security at home, like outdoor lights, extra window or door locks, or gates, if you can
If possible, park your car on the street instead of in the driveway so you can't be blocked in
Consider changing your mobile phone number and setting it to 'private'. Use email if you need to stay in contact with the perpetrator. This is also an easier way to keep a record of your conversations.
Get a PO Box for important mail if the perpetrator has or could get access to your home or letter box
If you see the perpetrator, get into a public or busy place as soon as possible
After leaving, try to change your normal routines. This could be catching different trains or buses, leaving home or work at different hours, shopping in different places.
Talk to a domestic and family violence service, a community lawyer or the police about getting a protection order if you don’t already have one. Visit Violence and the law to find out more.
Tell your employer of any protection orders that prevent the abuser from coming near your work. Keep a copy of your order at work or in your bag.
Download a copy of the checklist here
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Police 000
Crisis Care 1800 199 008
Women’s DV Helpline 1800 007 339
Men’s DV Helpline 1800 000 599
Kid’s Helpline 1800 551 800
DCP Esperance 90832566
TELEPHONE NUMBERS IN YOUR AREA
Police 9079 8999
Hospital 9079 8000
Leaving a Tenancy
If you are a tenant dealing with a family or domestic violence situation you now have options on managing your tenancy agreement. Remember, whatever path you choose, your safety is paramount and there are support agencies around to help you.
Tenants affected by family and domestic violence (FDV) are able to:
GO - leave a tenancy agreement without going to court and with as little as seven (7) days' notice (you can leave right away for safety but will need to pay rent until the end of the notice period)
STAY - apply to court to have a perpetrator’s name removed from a lease
Make a rental home safer through lock changes or security upgrades
Sort out disputes about property damage, unpaid rent or bonds
Seek removal from, or avoid being listed on, a tenancy database if the listing was because of FDV.
For further information about leaving your rental property please visit
www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/safe-tenancy-wa
Safety apps for mobile phones
Safety apps may help to increase your safety when using devices like mobile phones, iPads and tablets
They can be downloaded to your device
Each app has different information and services, some are linked to where you live
You don’t need to be experiencing violence or abuse to use a safety app
What do safety apps do?There are many apps for mobile phones that are made to keep people safer. Some have information on healthy relationships, others can link you to support services. There are also safety apps that you can use to send messages or call 000 if you are in danger. Because there are different laws and services in each state and territory, some apps have information just for that area. Apps like Daisy can be used wherever you are in Australia.
Recommended safety apps:
Positive Pathways
Positive Pathways is a safety and wellbeing app for women experiencing domestic and family violence. It looks like a wellness app with inspirational quotes, positive moments and a daily diary that is password protected. Its main purpose is for use in emergencies, with audio recording, automatic help messages and GPS location as well as a one-touch 000 call function.
Positive Pathways was made by the Zonta House Refugee Association.
For more information visit Positive Pathways Info
Daisy
Daisy is an app made by 1800RESPECT to connect women to support near them. Daisy can link to service phone numbers and websites, which you can access from within the app so they don’t show in browser history. There is also information on what to expect when contacting a service.
For more information visit Daisy info
Sunny app
Sunny is 1800RESPECT’s app for women with disability who have experienced violence and abuse. Sunny has been co-designed with women with disability to make sure it provides the very best support for the people who use it.
To find out more about Sunny you can visit our Sunny app page.
Thank you to https://www.1800respect.org.au/ for information about device apps
Your Toolkit- Financial Toolbox
Financial abuse (also known as economic abuse) is a form of domestic violence that is not often talked about, but can have a severe impact on the security and well-being of the abused partner, as well as children/dependents.
It has been estimated that 15% of Australian women have experienced financial abuse and there has been a marked increase in the number of women over 50 finding themselves in situations of financial hardship.
Many women are not aware they are victims of financial abuse.
Get answers here. YourToolkit details the 4 stages to freedom and provides you with access to the services you need to change your circumstances.
On-line Safety
To learn about on-line safety and take control of your on-line experiences please visit https://www.esafety.gov.au/women
The eSafetyWomen resources aim to help women manage technology risks and abuse by giving women the tools they need to be confident when online.