Making a Safety Plan

Making a Safety Plan In Violent or Abusive Relationships

A safety plan is a tool to help you prepare for a crisis and how you and your children will get to safety.

Safety plans help you:

Think about what to do ahead of time.
Prepare for how you will handle a dangerous situation.
Protect you and your children from violence.

Read through this publication and think carefully about your answers. It may not be safe to keep this booklet in your home. You may want to ask a trusted family member, friend, Victim Services worker, or PEI Family Violence Prevention Services staff member to keep it for you.

What is family violence?
Family violence is any violence or abuse by one family member against another family member. Family violence includes violence:
- By one partner against the other,
- By a parent against a child,
- By a child against a parent,
- Between siblings, or
- Involving grandparents.
You could experience violence from someone you are dating whom you do not live with.

In a violent relationship, there is a cycle of violence. A violent period follows a calm period. Violence usually increases over time. Even if you do not want to leave the relationship, it is important to create a safety plan for you and your children.

For more information on family violence, see our publication Family Violence and the Law.
What are court orders?
One of the most dangerous times for a victim of family violence can be after they leave. You might want to get a court order to have legal protections from the court. A court order is a document from the court that states a judge’s decisions and rules that must be followed.

There are different court orders that can protect you. To get a court order, you might need the help of a lawyer, police, or Victim Services. These orders include:
- Emergency Protection Orders (EPO)
- Victim Assistance Orders (VAO)
- Restraining Orders
- Peace Bonds
- Undertakings
- Probation Orders