A survivor will need a safety plan for all stages of her journey
Safety planning is one of the most important responsibilities of anyone providing family court support. In order for a woman to function effectively in family court, she must feel as safe as possible, both while she is there and in her life generally.
What is a safety plan?
- An individualized plan that reduces the risks for the woman and her children of further abuse.
- Strategies to reduce the risk of physical violence or other harm caused by the abuser.
- Strategies to maintain basic human needs such as income, housing, health care, food, childcare and education for the children.
- Considers the particulars of the woman’s situation – whether she is living with or separated from the abuser, whether she plans to leave or to stay, her financial resources, her housing options, whether she has children and so on.
- Changes as life circumstances change and should be regularly reviewed and revised to ensure ongoing safety.
When does a woman need a safety plan?
She will need a safety plan at all stages of her journey:
- While she is still living with the abuser.
- As she plans to leave.
- Immediately after leaving.
- During her legal processes (family, criminal, immigration).
- After she has completed her legal process.
- Possibly for years after she and her partner have separated, especially if she has children.
Your role
As you work with individual women:
- Understand the violence to which she has been subjected.
- Recognize that each woman’s experience is unique and that this must shape her safety plan.
- Never minimize a woman’s safety situation.
Respect a woman’s choices, which helps her regain power and control. Women may leave many times before they are out of the relationship permanently, or may ultimately choose not to leave. This is a choice that needs to be respected and supported.
Build a network of support for the survivors you work with:
- Be familiar with resources for women in your community.
- Make contact with and develop cooperative relationships with other women’s advocates in your community.
- Have an understanding of inter-agency issues and collaboration—some agencies may not be able to complete safety plans as part of their mandate and some may have protocols on collaboration and communication.