Women who live with violence need to have a safety plan. This plan will help them get out of the house in case of violence. Most women think that the abuse will not go that far, but the experience of many women is that it gets worse and worse.

Following are some ideas of what a woman can do to be prepared.

If your partner is abusing you

• Keep the address and telephone number of the nearest shelter written somewhere secret. Know that you can get it quickly.
• Ask the workers at the nearest shelter ahead of time if they will pay for a taxi in case you have to leave home suddenly. Most shelters use a particular taxi company and provide transportation if you live within the area. Keep the taxi company phone number in a safe place. Ask a friend or someone you trust if you can phone her or him in an emergency.
• Sometimes it is more difficult and frustrating to be understood when you are scared. This is more so if you speak little English. Write down words such as "I am being abused and I need a place to stay" on a piece of paper. Say it a few times before you have to say it on the telephone. This will help make yourself clear when you phone the shelter.

If you leave suddenly, you need to have your important documents with you. Collect the following documents. If possible, make copies of them. Keep them in a safe place.

• Alberta Health Care card
• Social Insurance Card
• Driver's license and Registration
• Credit cards and bank card
• Canadian immigration papers
• Passport
• Personal identification (including picture identification)
• Birth certificate(s)
• Immunization card for the children
• Personal chequebook
• Last banking statement
• Mortgage papers

When leaving suddenly, make sure you take personal things, such as:

• Prescribed medicine (medicine the doctor gives you)
• Personal hygiene products
• Glasses/Contact Lenses
• Money (if possible)
• Clothing (night wear, underwear)
• Heirlooms, Jewellery
• Photo albums (pictures that you want to keep)
• Crafts, needle work, hobby work

For your children, try to bring with you

• Medicine
• Soother and bottles
• Clothing (night wear, underwear)
• Special blanket and/or toy