Advice on Staying Safe (DV)

If you or your children are in danger, please call 999

If you’re unable to talk call 999 and press 55 and the operator will respond

To report an incident to the Police, please call 101

There are some suggestions you may wish to consider below to improve your safety. Following these is not a guarantee of safety. Please remember that you know your abuser and your circumstances best so only do what you think will help your situation.

• Plan an escape route from each room in your house.
• Think of safe places in your house. Stay away from rooms with no exits, that have hard surfaces or may contain objects that could be used as weapons such as bathrooms or kitchens. If an argument starts try to move to one of your safe places.
• Plan a list of safe people who you can contact if necessary. If you can, memorise all important phone numbers.
• Consider confiding in a trusted neighbour about your situation who will call the police if they hear a disturbance.
• Share a code word or sign with family and friends so they know when to call for help.
• Keep money/change with you all the times and find out where the nearest working phone box is.
• Plan what you will say to your partner if they become violent. Use your knowledge of them to keep you and your children safe. Call the police as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Plan where you will go in an emergency and have a couple of alternatives.
• Plan how you can stay safe if the police are unable to respond immediately to your 999 call.

Leaving a domestic violence relationship is often the most dangerous time so have plans in place to increase your safety at this time.
If you’re unable to leave immediately, have plans in place if an emergency does arise and you need to leave quickly.

• Keep a record of the violent and controlling behaviour to support any future action you may wish to take.
• Log incidents with the police, even if you do not wish to press charges at the current time.
• Seek legal advice – Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership (Kirklees) and WomenCentre Staying Safe Team (Calderdale) can support you in accessing legal advice.
• Have a packed bag ready, kept in a secret but accessible place so you can leave quickly.
• Take photos of any bruises or injuries.
• Keep important documents (national insurance card, passport, driving licence, marriage/birth certificates) and bank/credit cards in a safe place you can access quickly, either hidden at home or with family or friends.
• Only tell people you trust where you will be, lie if necessary.
• Always try to take your children with you or make arrangements to leave them with someone safe.

Remember: If the last number you called on your landline was a refuge, taxi or the place where you are going, dial another number – for example, the Speaking Clock (dial 123).

Sadly domestic violence may not end when the relationship has ended. To increase your safety you should consider:

• Telling trusted friends and relatives the relationship has ended and they should call the police if they see your former partner near or trying to gain access to your home.
• Changing the locks on all your doors and ensuring that all doors and windows are secure.
• Installing additional security such as a burglar alarm or security lighting.
• Ask colleagues to screen your calls whilst at work.
• Changing the routes that you use to take your children to school/ go to work.
• Inform your children’s teachers and childminders who has permission to collect your children. If you have an injunction give a copy to the school.
• Change your daily/weekly routines. Shop in different areas/different supermarkets at different times and vary your route home.