Trusted help, gathered in one place.

Leaving an abusive relationship is statistically the most dangerous time. Please don't do it alone if you can avoid it. A safety plan is a personal, practical guide for how to stay safer — whether you stay, prepare to leave, or have already left.

If you can, gather these things somewhere safe

Keep them with a trusted friend, in your car, at work, or at a neighbor's — not where they can be found by your abuser:

• Identification — driver's license, passport, Social Security card, birth certificate (yours and children's)
• Copies of any protective orders, custody papers, lease/title documents
• Money — cash, a prepaid card, account information
• Keys — car, house, safe deposit box
• Medications and any medical records
• Phone numbers of trusted contacts, written down (in case you lose your phone)
• A few changes of clothes
• Sentimental items that can't be replaced (photos, mementos)
• Pet supplies and records, if applicable

Plan your exit

Think through when, where, and how. Tell at least one trusted person. Have a code word with them that means "I need help now." If you can, practice the route to where you're going.

Digital safety

Abusers often monitor phones, social media, and devices. Consider:

• Using a friend's phone or a library computer for sensitive searches
• Clearing your browsing history after each visit to support sites
• Changing passwords on email, social media, banking — from a safe device
• Turning off location sharing on phones and apps
• Knowing that even "deleted" texts and call logs may be recoverable

You know your situation better than anyone. Trust your instincts. We're here to help you think it through, not tell you what to do.

If you'd like to talk to someone about your specific situation, please reach out through our confidential intake form or call the National DV Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for safety planning support any time.