SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD

Although you can’t control your abuser’s behaviour, you can choose to be pro-active in seeking to protect yourself and your children.

Here are ways to increase your safety in your neighborhood:

Get your Emergency Escape Plan in order and review it often.

Create a Child Safety Plan for and with each of your children.

Tell your neighbours you’d like them to call police if they hear a fight or screaming in your home.

Tell your childcare providers who has permission to pick up your children.

Ask your neighbours to look after your children in an emergency.

Hide clothing and your Emergency Escape Plan items at a neighbour’s house.


If your abuser no longer lives with you
Tell people in your neighbourhood that this is the case and ask them to call police if they see the abuser in the area. You may wish to give them a photo and description of the abuser and his or her vehicle.
Use different grocery stores and shopping malls, and shop at different hours from those you used while living with your abuser.

Use a different bank or branch, and bank at different hours from those you used while living with your abuser.

Switch to new professional service providers (e.g., doctor, dentist and so on).

If you live in an apartment, don’t put your name on the apartment building directory.