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Project Empowerment
Helping female victims with a child under 8, who have been affected by domestic abuse, either current or historic.
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Keeping Myself Safe
A personal safety plan is a way to help to protect yourself and your children in or out of an abuse relationship
The information below will help you draw up a safety plan in advance for the possibility of future violence or abuse against you.
Key points:
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Keep your phone on you.
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Call police in an emergency 999
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If an incident is escalating try and stay or go to a lower risk area of the home. Somewhere where you can leave the property. Avoid kitchens where there may be knives or other weapons and bathrooms where you may get trapped.
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Report domestic abuse incidents, threatening messages and harassment to police 101 or online. Keep a record of any domestic abuse incidents in a way that is safe. Keep text messages. Social media messages and photos of injuries and retain as evidence for police.
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This evidence can also be used if you need to apply for a non-molestation order.
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If you need to apply for a non-molestation order, you can call the National Centre for Domestic Violence 24hr 0800 970 2070.
Consider:
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Using a free safety app such as Holly Guard if it is safe for you to do so. Remember, if your partner/ex partner has access to your phone they may identify a safety app.
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Keep an emergency bag with a family member, friend or neighbour. Avoid mutual friends or neighbours.
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Plan where you might be able to go in an emergency and how you would get there. Neighbours, friends or family. Arrange a safe place to go if you need to leave suddenly.
Planning to leave
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Plan to leave when your partner is not around.
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Take everything you need with you including important documents – Birth Certificates, passports tenancy agreements. Any documents relating to the abuse, for example, Court Orders. Remember if you have to get out for your and your children’s safety, take what you can. Yours and your children’s safety is the priority.
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Be careful using internet. Your partner may intercept.
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Save numbers in your contacts as another name.
If you are staying in the home
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Change locks.
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Consider if it is possible to install a video doorbell.
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A professional may be able to make a referral into the safer scheme for additional safety measures.
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Kent Fire and Rescue Service may be able to do a Home Safety Visit and, for example, seal the letterbox.
After you have left
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Consider blocking your ex-partner on social media.
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Turn off location settings.
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Get you phone, tablet and laptop checked for tracking devices.
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If your partner/ex partner threatens or harasses you consider applying for a non-molestation order.
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Be careful of photos of children on social media. School badges can identify location.
Visit Folkestone and Hythe One Stop for Domestic Abuse
After years of rewarding experience as a Home-Start volunteer, this retired Trustee remains passionately committed to supporting the organization’s vital work with families and domestic abuse survivors. Driven by a belief in the program's life-changing impact, they now aim to contribute to the team’s mission in this leadership capacity.