During a Violent Incident
In this section there are ideas that some women have found helpful to protect their safety during a violent incident.
If you are living with an abusive partner, you are probably doing many things on a daily basis to keep yourself and / or your children as safe as possible. Each person’s situation is unique, and you will know best whether these ideas will help you in your situation.
Many women keep their safety plan secret and only tell people they absolutely trust. The following are some things women have done during a violent incident that worked for their particular situation:
- Removed her children from the area where the assault is happening by telling them to go to another room or a pre-determined safe place.
- Moved to a place where the risk is lower for her or where she can escape. There tends to be a higher risk in the following areas: bathroom, kitchen, areas with weapons, the garage, and rooms without an outside door.
- Secretly calling 911 during or after the incident and then leaving the phone off the hook after the call as they may call back, unintentionally alerting your abuser.
- Making noise (pull the fire alarm, break things, turn up the stereo) to alert neighbours to call 911.
- Reviewing her Emergency Escape Plan in your mind.
