81 Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers Safety Planning (continued) What NOT to Do as a Helper • Tell the person what to do (“I think you should live with your son.”) • Simply refer the person to local agencies (“Here’s a list of agencies you can call. Let me know how it goes.”) • Impose your cultural, spiritual or generational values that may impact the person’s choices. (“I think your only choice is to divorce him.”) • Talk to the perpetrator on your own. • Recommend strategies that could increase risk for the person (such as recommending the purchase of a gun or other weapon; attending couples counselling; saying “just stand up to him”.) • Blame the person if she or he does not follow the safety plan and experiences further violence. Checklist for Creating Safety Plans Safety planning involves problem-solving in advance.This helps a person know what to do, both during and after a crisis situation. Below is a list of questions to consider and discuss with the person when preparing a safety plan. •What experience has the person had with safety planning and protection strategies?Which strategies worked?Which were ineffective? • How has the perpetrator behaved in the past? Is the perpetrator likely to re-offend? • Does the perpetrator have access to weapons? Have weapons been used in the past? • Is there a peace bond or protection order in effect? If so, what is the status? •Where does the person keep important phone numbers, personal documents, photographs, bank books? •What/who are the person’s community supports? • Does the person have information on counselling and other therapeutic or support services? • Is there a process to review and update the safety plan on a regular basis? • Has the person practiced giving precise information on where she or he is and if there is danger? •What are the person’s cultural or religious values about independence and the right to unrestricted movement? • Is the person willing to move to a safe place (shelter or transition house)? •What are the person’s experiences with the justice system and other service providers? • What is the person’s first language and country of origin? Is language a potential barrier to getting help? • What is the person’s legal status (refugee, landed immigrant)? •What is the person’s physical and health status? • If the person is living with a disability, are there physical barriers in the person’s environment that may prevent a safe exit or access to safety? •What challenges might affect the person’s safety or ability to follow through with a safety plan? This could include things such as substance abuse, mental health issues, or dementia. • Is the person comfortable with the safety plan and willing to live life within its constraints, at least in the short term? • Is the person aware of other potential risks, such as: • Cyber-stalking on the internet? • Identity theft (credit cards, passport, other ID)? • Seeking help from people or organizations that have little experience with violence? Some Suggestions for Advance Safety Planning • Do not discuss any part of your safety plan with the perpetrator. • Avoid areas where weapons are in easy reach, such as in the kitchen or garage. • Pack a change of clothes, house and car keys, money and important papers. Hide them in a safe place that is easily accessed (for example, in a grocery bag near the front door, or with a neighbour or friend). • Open a savings or chequing account in your own name to increase your independence. If possible, open your account at a different bank than the one used by the perpetrator. • Keep a two-to-three-day supply of medication on hand at all times. Important Items to Keep in a Safe Place if the Need to Leave Arises • Bank books; • Bank cards (credit cards, debit cards); • Cheque books; • Credit card numbers; • Birth certificate; • Passport; • Driver’s license and car registration; • Social Insurance Number; • Health card; • Medications; continued
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