Notes

Safety Planning & Domestic Violence
South Carolina is currently ranks #6 when it comes to partners being killed by someone who claims they love them. Domestic violence is a topic of discussion that many still feel is taboo. Victims survivors are often blamed and shamed for their circumstances. However, it is important to understand that to survive a cycle of violence takes courage and forethought. One of the ways victim survivors can be helped is by educating them about safety planning.

A safety plan is an outline that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after you leave. Creating a personalized safety plan encompasses how to cope with emotions, telling friends and family about the abuse, and the steps to be taken in the event of legal action. An effective safety plan will have specific details tailored to your unique situation. It is important to remember that in moments of panic, your brain may not remember even the simplest of details due to the large amount of adrenaline pumping through your veins — so creating a safety plan in advance will give you protection during these stressful moments.

So that’s the first thing to know about a safety plan – it’s highly individualized. Focus should be on the survivor’s situation. The contents of a Safety Plan will vary depending on each survivor’s experience. Safety Plans should focus on how to reduce risks for the survivor and their children. Victims face different risks if they are currently in an abusive relationship, are considering leaving, or have left the relationship. family law should be tailored to best meet the needs of the individual’s circumstance. The most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence is when they are leaving the relationship. Safety plan decisions should always be made by the survivor. The survivor is the expert in his or her own situation.

A safety plan should include all possibilities:

Establish a safe word to share with friends and family
Get assistance from a victim advocate
Know the safe areas in your home- always be able to escape
Have access to a telephone or cell phone
Try to save extra cash
Have copies of important documents in a safe place
Keep your emergency phone numbers handy
Rehearse an escape plan with your children and protectors
Have a safety plan if you retreat to safety with family and or friends (in their homes)
Have a plan for work or school
Be aware of computer and internet safety
Don’t be afraid to call 911
A domestic violence shelter could be your refuge

It’s important to note that no amount of planning can control an abuser’s behavior. The idea of safety planning is not to place responsibility on the survivor, but rather to give them as much agency as possible to control the things they can control. If you or someone you know needs help please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). You can also look for resources in the state of South Carolina at the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault website: https://www.sccadvasa.org/get-help/
Website: http://bowenlawfirm.scladyesq.com