Safety Tips
Some safety tips to consider for your safety plan:
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Practice how to get out of your home safely;
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Have a bag packed ready;
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Make up a code word to use with your children, family, friends, and neighbours when you need the police;
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Always try to take your children with you or make arrangements to leave them with someone safe;
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Inform your children’s school or day care about who has permission to pick up your children;
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Open a savings account in your name to start to establish or increase your independence;
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Have copies of important documents (ex. Birth Certificates, Health cards for you and your children, SIN, immigration papers, or other legal papers such as custody papers) in a safety deposit box or with a friend;
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If you have pets, consider safety options for them;
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Look at options for safety – Women’s Shelter, a friend, family, neighbour, motel, etc.
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Know that you are not responsible for the abuse;
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Understand that the abuse and violence are not likely to stop without intervention.
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Talk to someone you trust about what is going on – secrecy gives abuse more power.
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Care for yourself – anything that you can do to enhance your physical or psychological health will assist you to get through the difficult times
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Spend time with healthy people. Even if they cannot help you directly