Domestic Violence Personalized Safety Plan (Page 4 of 5) in pdf

STEP 6: Safety and drug or alcohol use. Most people in this culture use alcohol. Many use

mood-altering drugs. Much of this is legal, although some is not. The legal outcomes of using il-

legal drugs can be very hard on battered women, may hurt her relationship with her children, and

can put her at a disadvantage in other legal actions with her battering partner. Therefore, women

should carefully consider the potential cost of the use of illegal drugs. Beyond this, the use of al-

cohol or other drugs can reduce a woman’s awareness and ability to act quickly to protect herself

from her battering partner. Furthermore, the use of alcohol or other drugs by the batterer may give

him an excuse to use violence. Specific safety plans must be made concerning drugs or alcohol use.

If drug or alcohol use has occurred in my relationship with my battering partner, I can enhance

my safety by some or all of the following:

A. If I am going to use, I can do so in a safe place and with people who understand the risk of

violence and are committed to my safety.

B. If my partner is using, I can ________________________________________________________

and/or ________________________________________________________________________.

C. To safeguard my children I might __________________________________________________.

STEP 7: Safety and my emotional health. The experience of being battered and verbally de-

graded by partners is usually exhausting and emotionally draining. The process of building a new

life takes much courage and incredible energy.

To conserve my emotional energy and resources and to avoid hard emotional times, I can do some

of the following:

A. If I feel down and am returning to a potentially abusive situation, I can _____________________

______________________________________________________________________________.

B. When I have to communicate with my partner in person or by telephone, I can _______________

______________________________________________________________________________.

C. I will try to use “I can ... ” statements with myself and be assertive with others.

D. I can tell myself, “______________________________________________________________”

whenever I feel others are trying to control or abuse me.

E. I can read __________________________________________________ to help me feel stronger.

F. I can call ____________________________ and ____________________________ for support.

G. I can attend workshops and support groups at the domestic violence program or ______________

____________________________ to gain support and strengthen relationships.

STEP 8: Items to take when leaving. When women leave partners, it is important to take cer-

tain items. Beyond this, women sometimes give an extra copy of papers and an extra set of cloth-

ing to a friend just in case they have to leave quickly.

Money: Even if I never worked, I can take money from jointly held savings and checking ac-

counts. If I do not take this money, he can legally take the money and close the accounts.

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Domestic Violence Personalized Safety Plan Page 4