CAUTION: LEAVING MAY BE OUR MOST DANGEROUS TIME - BE PREPARED HAVE A SAFETY PLAN

Safety During an Abusive Incident
  • Try to ensure you are in a room with exits and make yourself aware of all possible exit routes.
  • Ask a trusted neighbour to call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your house
  • Teach your children how to call 000
  • Teach children how to safely exit the house during an incident and identify a trusted neighbour where they can run to
  • When it is safe to do so call the police as soon as possible

Safety at Work
  • Inform someone at your workplace about your current situation
  • Avoid taking the same route to work each day
  • Have a plan for safely arriving and leaving work. This may include asking someone to escort you to your car, bus or train

Safety When Preparing to Leave
  • Arrange safe accommodation for when you leave. This could include a refuge, friends or relatives. It is important to try to take your children with you.
  • If you feel unwilling to leave your pets organise safe accommodation for them. Contact the domestic violence line or local pound for information on how to care for your pet
  • Arrange your transportation in advance
  • Practice travelling to your intended safe spot
  • Make a leaving package filled with clothes, spare keys, important documents (e.g. drivers licence, birth certificates etc), and medication. Leave the package in a safe place which you can easily access. You may like to keep a copy of important documents with a trusted friend or relative.
  • If you do need to go back to the house to retrieve your possessions request police accompany you
  • Obtain legal advice before leaving where possible
  • Educate yourself on local services which can assist you before, during or after you leave. Keep important numbers such as police and domestic violence lines in a safe place
  • Ask your doctor to make notes of any injuries you may have
  • Only tell trusted people of your new location

Staying Safe After Separation
  • Inform your children’s school or day care who has permission to collect your children
  • It may be necessary to change your postal details. Getting mail directed to a PO Box can be a safer option.
  • You may need to consider changing your bank details or your name
  • Changing your phone number. It may be safer to get a silent number. Using caller ID will help you identify unwanted callers
  • You may ask for your name and address to be excluded from the published electoral role. Contact the Australian Electoral Commission.
  • Avoid using your usual shopping centre
  • Increase your home security by changing locks, security chains on doors, outdoor sensor lights, automatic garage doors etc.
  • Program services such as police and domestic violence lines into your phone for easy access in emergencies
  • Inform neighbours that your partner doesn’t live with you and ask them to contact the police if they see him or are aware of a disturbance
  • If your partner breaches an ADVO telephone the police and report it as soon as possible
  • If you have an ADVO keep it with you at all times. Store a copy with someone you trust.
  • If your circumstances change you are able to return to court and apply for a variation to the ADVO

Checklist: What to Take When You Leave

Documentation:
  • Driver’s Licence
  • Birth Certificate for yourself and your children
  • Centrelink cards
  • Marriage certificate
  • Passports for yourself and your children
  • Medicare numbers
  • Medical records
  • Bank account numbers and statements
  • Credit cards, cheque books etc
  • Taxation papers and employments documents
  • Car registration papers
  • Insurance policies
  • Lease/rental contracts
  • Mortgage and property deeds
  • Department of Immigration and Citizenship documentation
  • Divorce papers
  • Court papers including protection and family law papers
  • Unpaid bills

Other things may include:
  • Car and house keys
  • Medication
  • Clothing
  • Your children’s favourite toys and other items of comfort
  • Personal items which have value or you fear may be destroyed such as jewellery and photographs