What is Safety Planning?

“Whether you are living in a violent relationship, thinking about leaving that relationship, or have already left that relationship (or are looking to support your friend/family member who is experiencing violence), there are a number of ways in which you can increase your (their) safety…Whenever potential for violence is identified in one’s life, it is important to develop a safety plan. Creating a safety plan involves identifying action steps to increase safety and to prepare in advance for the possibility of future violence” (BC Housing, 2015).

Information about safety planning is often geared towards people experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence, but anyone can create a safety plan. Safety plans come in all shapes and sizes, and they should be unique to the survivor’s needs in the moment, including those who may be thinking about harming themselves. They are steps to keep yourself (the survivor) as safe as possible within your (their) current circumstances (loveisrespect, n.d.).

One of the most crucial, yet frequently overlooked, aspects of safety and safety-planning is taking care of yourself. This includes your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being” (BC Housing, 2015).

Questions to think about when you are exposed to (or potentially exposed to) violence…

  • Do you feel safe right now? If not, is there anywhere that you can go where you might feel safer?
  • Does anyone that you are close to know what’s happened? Is there someone supportive in your life that you’d feel comfortable reaching out to?
  • What do you need right now? Would you feel better after eating some food, drinking some water, or going for a walk?
  • If you are concerned that you are still in danger of further violence, is there someone that you can stay with or someone that can come and stay with you?
  • Do you have a place where you can talk on the phone without being overheard?
  • Do you think you should wipe evidence of calls, emails, or internet searches?

Remember, it’s okay if your answer to these questions is yes, no, maybe, or I don’t know.

Questions to think about when you think you might hurt yourself…

  • Is this a feeling or an intent? What plans can you make/measures can you place to keep yourself safe for now?
  • Who can you reach out to when you have thoughts about hurting yourself?
  • Can you appoint a person in your life to be your safety person/someone you can reach out to when you are having thoughts about hurting yourself?
  • How can your plans of suicide be safely disabled?
  • What do you need for safer use (or no use) of substances?
  • What has kept you safe in the past that might help you now?
  • What type of action seems doable now?

*Remember, you are not alone. Support is available. (Check out our “Other Resources” page for other on-campus and off-campus resources)

Drop-in at AVP or make an appointment at avppeersupport [at] uvss [dot] ca if you need support with safety planning. We are here for you.