SAFETY DURING A VIOLENT INCIDENT
Plan for safety
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Know the easiest escape routes from the house, doors and windows
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Plan a safe place to stay in advance that is known only to yourself and your children
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Identify a neighbour you can tell about the violence and ask them to ring the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your house. Develop some sort of code or signal between you where they will know you are in danger.
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Keep the 24 hour refuge referral number (1800 811 811) in a place that is easy to find.
During a violent incident you must do everything you can to avoid serious injury this may include
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Leaving the situation if possible
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Keeping your mobile phone with you
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Calling the Police as soon as it is safe to report the incident. The police can also arrange safe accommodation for you and your children.
Safety planning with your children
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It is important that children have a safety plan so they know what to do if violence occurs
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Tell children they must NOT try to intervene if there is violence
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Decide ahead of time on a safe place where children can hide or run to when they feel unsafe
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Teach your children who to ring for help and where the phone numbers are so they can find them easily
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Teach children to ring the police on 000 and rehearse with them what to say in advance
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Teach children their full name and their address.
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Give children permission to get help from neighbours or others if needed.
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Make a list of people the children can trust and talk to if they are feeling unsafe (neighbours, teachers, relatives, friends).
Kids triple zero website provides opportunities for children to practice ringing triple zero
Safety during separation
If you are considering leaving an abusive relationship it is important that you plan where you could go to be safe such as friends, family or a women's refuge. Always try to take the children with you. Leaving can be the most dangerous time for you and your children. Always consider your safety when planning to leave.
Keep a small amount of cash, your mobile phone to make emergency calls, key cards, house keys, essential medications and important papers together in a place where you can get them quickly or have someone else retrieve them. You may wish to have a copy of these left with someone you trust. If you do leave you can request the Police to accompany you back to the house to retrieve your personal possessions. Do not put your safety at risk to retrieve property or possessions.
Make your own list of personal papers you need to take with you this may include:
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Birth certificates
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Marriage certificate
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Domestic Violence Protection Order
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Family Court Orders
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Passports for yourself and children
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Drivers licence
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Insurance policies
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Taxation, employment and income documents
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Centrelink card or number
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Medicare card or number
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Bank account numbers and statements
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Bank Cards, cheque books, credit cards
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Department of Immigration & Citizenship documentation
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Medical records
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Arrange your transport in advance; a lift from a friend or book a tax
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Ask your doctor to note any injuries on your patient records
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Only tell your plans to friends and family you are sure you can trust.
Staying safe after separation
Domestic and family violence can continue long after the relationship has ended. To increase your safety consider the following:
Court Orders
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If your ex-partner breaches the Protection Order, telephone the Police and report the breach. Ask to speak to the DVLO (Domestic Violence Liaison Officer). If you don't receive the help you need contact the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast Inc. or a legal service for assistance to make a complaint.
Mail
Banking
Mobile Phones
Online Accounts
Your home
Work
Out and about
Computer and Internet safety
Consider the following:
NOTE: The quick exit button on this and many other domestic violence help sites will take you back to Google but will not remove the browsing history from your computer. To delete all records of history of the websites you visit from your computer you need to refer to your computer browsers' help function for instructions on how to do this.