• Plan how you might respond to different situations
• Think about who you can tell, tell them and perhaps have a code word in the case of an emergency where it is hard to give details
• Think about what options are open to you
• Plan an escape plan
• Think about how to keep yourself safe should an attack be about to happen, such as moving out of the kitchen or nearer to an exit/telephone
• Keep emergency telephone numbers together, for example local police station, 24 hour Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247, DV advocate, GP
• Try to make sure that you have some money to hand if you need to leave quickly
• If you have a mobile ‘phone make sure it is fully charged, with credit and on you at all times, where possible
• Pack an emergency bag with some clothes for you and your children, plus a few toys. Keep it in a safe place at home or somewhere else if this is not safe, such with a neighbour or friend

2. Emergency Bag

If you think that you might need to leave at some point it is helpful to have prepared for this event. Some of these items can be packed in an emergency bag and kept in a safe place, others you could carry on you.

These can include:

• Forms of identification – passports, visas, work permits, birth certificates, driving licence
• Money – cash, bank books, cheque book, credit and debit cards
• Keys for house, car and place of work
• Benefits – child benefits and any other benefits you may get
• Prescribed medication
• Housing - copies of documents such as a mortgage details, rental agreement
• Legal documents - injunction, divorce papers
• Insurance documents including national insurance number
• Clothing and toiletries for you and your children, plus a couple of toys
• Any other items of importance to you for example address book, family photos, your diary, jewellery, sentimental items

• Make sure your children know how to call 999 in an emergency
• If you plan to leave take your children with you
• If you leave and your childen still got to the same school, make sure the school and teachers know what is happening and who can collect the children

• Prepariong to leave can put you in more danger, so make sure you prepare as much as possible and do it when your partner is not around
• If your partner leaves, you still need to think about keeping yourself safe. Think about changing locks (some boroughs have Sanctuary schemes who can help with this), discuss safety with your children, vary your routes home, tell work/neighbours about your situation if this is safe to do, chnage your telephone number