Steps of a Safety Plan

• Help the child identify a person or persons who could help when violence occurs. This could be a neighbor, relative, friend or 911 operator.
   
• Develop a plan the child could employ to contact that person. For example, is it safe for the child to go to a neighbor’s house, is it better to call, to have a signal? Is the child old enough to give information to a 911 operator?
   
• Recognize warning signs that violence may occur: arguing, objects being thrown, threats, parents are drunk or high.
   
• Help the child find a safe place in the home to go - perhaps their room, a closet.
   
• Have the child discuss safety planning with the nonabusive parent.
   
• Instruct the child not to physically try to stop the violence.
   
• Be realistic with child and acknowledge that their safety plan may not always work. That it’s not their fault if it fails.