Safety Planning
Safety planning.
Sexual violence affects a person’s emotional and physical safety. Establishing a safety plan helps to identify ways to increase one’s safety. Safety plans are most effective when created with an advocate, a friend, or a family member who has some knowledge regarding sexual violence.
A typical safety plan addresses:
- Emotional safety | Brainstorming ways to get through some of the emotionally difficult times
- Safety within your home | Coming up with ways to increase feelings of safety at home
- Memories of the assault | Planning strategies to implement when memories of the assault affect your day-to-day living
- Safety if there is still contact with the offender | Developing ways to ensure your safety when you have no choice but to have contact with the offender
- Safety within the criminal justice system | Strategizing ways to increase your sense of safety and control throughout the criminal justice system process (if applicable)
- Helpful community resources | Putting together a list of important numbers
For help in creating a safety plan of your own, contact the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center at 1-800-656-4673.
Note: Keep your safety plan in a safe and secret location if there is a chance that the offender may find it. Also, consider whether you need to share your safety plan with any one else in your life (e.g., an employer, therapist, etc.).
