Making a safety plan

Take steps to improve your safety at home, for example:

• make sure the locks on your windows and sliding doors work well
• install lockable security screens for doors
• have dead locks installed, but do not dead lock yourself in at night – you may need to leave quickly in an emergency
• change your locks if keys go missing
• install sensor lights near entrances to your house
• trim trees or shrubs away from entrances to your house
• keep electric fuse boxes locked (your electricity company can supply a lock)
• do not leave any gardening tools like rakes or shovels in your yard. Make sure your garage or shed is locked.

Police can also give you advice on how to make your home safer. You can contact:

• your local police station
• the police officer in charge of your case if you have already reported a crime.

If you can:

• use a few different ways to get to work – this makes it harder for someone to keep track of your routine
• make sure someone in your workplace knows about your situation
• inform your manager or someone you trust (they may be able to help you with safety planning arrangements at work)
• get a co-worker to screen your phone calls
• keep copies of any important paperwork at work or in your bag
• park your car in a secure space or ask a co-worker to walk you to your car.

If you are concerned for your safety, using the internet or a smartphone may not be a safe way to communicate. There are many ways that your computer, phone and internet use can be monitored.

Think about:

• using a friend's phone or a public computer in a library or internet cafe
• creating another email account – do not provide detailed information about yourself or use your name in the address
• regularly changing passwords and PIN numbers for your online accounts
• updating the privacy settings on your social media accounts to restrict access.

If you feel like you are in immediate danger, call the police on Triple Zero (000).

Planning for an emergency is an important part of your safety plan.

You should:

• plan where you could go, and how to get there (make sure you and any other family members, including children, practice this plan)
• choose a code word you can use with family, friends and neighbours if you need help
• have emergency phone numbers saved in your mobile phone
• be aware of any rooms in your house that have bad phone reception
• think of an excuse beforehand so you can leave quickly if you feel threatened
• have a bag ready with clothes, money, medication and important paperwork in case you need to leave quickly.

It may not be easy, but it is important to let people know about what is happening, because it can help keep you and your family safe. If you have someone who can act as a support person, they may be able to be with you and help with these conversations.

People who can help include:

• family and friends
• neighbours
• your workplace
• your school or your children’s school.

With family and friends, you may want to:

• keep them up to date about what is going on
• agree on a code word you can use on the phone if you need help in an emergency
• give them a list of important people or services in case of emergency.

With neighbours, you can:

• ask your neighbours to let you know if they see anything suspicious
• let them know if you are going away for more than a day or two
• tell them to call the police if they hear something and are concerned for your safety
• tell them about any changes to your situation
• agree on a code word or signal you can use if you need help in an emergency.