If you require immediate help

If you sense an immediate threat to yourself or your children, don’t hesitate—call 000 or visit the nearest police station. Domestic Violence situations can be unpredictable, and you have the right to live safely and free from violence. 

As soon as you start to think about leaving, you need to take extra care to stay safe. For example, if you printed out this information, it’s safer to keep it in the hands of a trusted friend than at home. 

The more prepared and supported you are, the safer leaving can be. 

Here are some tips that may be helpful. Keep in mind that this information is not official legal advice. 

  • Learn about your rights and get support from free online resources. 
  • Think about getting a FVRO – (Family Violence Restraining Order). 
  • Talk to the police or DV hotline about whether this might be a good idea for you. 
  • If you get a FVRO, always keep a copy with you. Give copies of it and a photo of your partner to your children’s school and your workplace. (Front desk or security employees can use it to prevent your partner from entering.) 
  • Collect evidence. 

For example, take pictures of bruises or broken objects. And take screen shots of threatening texts or missed calls. 

Create a safety plan

  1. Assess Your Situation: When an argument occurs, go to an identified safe place, try to have a phone available at all times, understand the risks and patterns of abuse and identify safe spaces within your community. 
  1. Emergency Contacts: Memorize or write down emergency numbers (police, Domestic violence hotline, friends, family). Set up a code word with trusted contacts to signal danger. 
  1. Escape Routes: Plan how to leave quickly and safely and practice this plan. Know where to go (Police , friend’s house, etc.) and think about what you’ll do if your partner confronts you. Make or arrange plans for pets. 
  1. Pack Essentials: Gather important documents (IDs, medical records, see checklist.). Pack a bag with clothes, toiletries, and necessities and leave it with someone you trust.  See the below section, “What should you take with you?”, for more information.
  1. Communication Plan: Share your plan with someone you trust and use a secret signal or phrase with children. 
  1. Safety at Home: Hide a spare key outside and keep a charged phone nearby. 
  1. Safety Outside: Vary routines and use public transportation or Taxi/Uber services. 

After leaving a domestic violence situation

We recommend these crucial steps to ensure your safety: 

  1. Change Locks and Phone Number: If possible, change the locks on your doors and your phone number, or consider getting an unlisted number. 
  1. Alter Work Hours and Routes: Change your work hours if feasible and vary the route you take to get there. 
  1. Alert School Authorities: Inform your children’s school about the situation/provide them with relevant details. 
  1. Change Passwords: Log out of all accounts and update your usernames and passwords. Choose strong, unique passwords that your abuser won’t guess! 
  1. Privacy Settings: Review privacy settings on social media & other accounts. Set social media profiles to private and block your abuser where necessary. 
  1. Check for Spyware: The police can assist you in checking for spyware after leaving a domestic violence relationship. Additionally, there are organizations that provide services to sweep your home and motor vehicles for any recording devices. If any recording devices are found, they should be provided to the police. 

What should you take with you?

Additional Resources

For more information regarding Nardine Wimmin’s Refuge – you can visit the Centre For Women’s Safety and Wellbeing Website

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