Knowing ways to protect yourself is essential. If you would like assistance in developing a safety plan please contact the Crime and Trauma Informed Support Services or Edmonton Community Services. Please take into account the following suggestions as you plan for your safety and the safety of your children.

• If possible leave the home or call police before any violence starts.
• If you need to leave your home or workplace, know the best escape routes and practice your emergency exit plans. Teach children the escape routes.
• Plan where to go if you need to leave. This needs to be a safe place for you and your children in a time of crisis.
• Keep your purse/wallet nearby in case you need to leave quickly.
• Keep spare keys for your home and car with you in a safe place at all times.
• Keep copies of important documents and money in a safe place.
• Keep a small bag of clothes packed and hidden.
• Tell trusted friends, neighbours or relatives about the abuse and create a code word or signal with them to call the police if you need help.
• Have a code word with your children that will let them know to leave and get help. Let children know whose house they can run to.
• Let children know where the cordless phone or cell phone is and how to use them.

When the abuser is separated from the rest of the family:

• If possible keep a charged cell phone with you at all times. ANY CHARGED CELL PHONE WILL CALL 911. Even if you don’t have a phone plan or minutes on your pay-as-you-go phone, 911 will work.
• Tell a trusted neighbour to call police if they see your spouse near the residence if there are court ordered terms preventing your spouse from being near the house.
• Ensure your children’s school is aware of court orders, restraining orders, custody and access orders as well as a picture of your partner and their vehicle.
• Accompany your children to school or the bus stop.
• If possible, change your daily routines.
• If possible, change your locks, install an alarm system, add window bars, secure locks on windows and doors and install outdoor lighting.
• Identify people before answering the door. A wide angle viewer can be installed in all exterior doors.
• Make your boss and/or co-workers aware of the situation and ask them to call police if they see your spouse in or around your workplace. Ask them not to give out any personal information about you or your routine.
• Arrange for a co-worker or security to walk you to and from your building to your car.
• If a problem happens when you are driving, use your cell phone to call police. If you don’t have a cell phone, honk the horn continuously to gain attention and drive to a police station or a well lit, heavily populated area.
• If you use public transit try to sit close to the front by the driver. Arrange for someone to meet you at the bus stop and walk you home. Once at home call a relative or friend and let them know you got home safely.

Cover your web tracks

In Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Click on "Tools" in the top menu.
2. Select "Internet Options".
3. Select the "General" tab.
4. In the middle section, "Temporary Internet Files," click "Delete Files."
5. In the bottom section, "History," click "Clear History."

In Mozilla 

1. Click on "Tools" in the top menu.
2. Select "Options."
3. Select "Privacy" in the left column.
4. In "History," click "Clear."
5. And in "Cache," click "Clear."