Teen Safety Planning
Download Your Teen Safety Planning Guide
A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes information and strategies to remain safe while in an abusive relationship, when planning to leave, or after you leave. Here are some helpful ways to stay safe at school, at home and online.
Remember Your Emotional Safety
Trust your Instincts
If it doesn‘t feel right to you, it probably isn‘t
Set Boundaries
You have a right to be safe and to set your own boundaries
It is Not Your Fault
No one deserves to be abused physically, sexually, emotionally, or verbally — it‘s not your fault, no matter what your partner says
Take Time for You
Do activities you enjoy and spend time with supportive family and friends
Helpful Items to Keep with You at All Times
A working cell phone and charger
Spare cash in case abuser gets into your phone-pay apps
Keys
Driver’s License and/or other important ID
Copy of restraining order
Important phone numbers of people/places you trust
Your safety plan
Staying Safe at School
Create a Safe Route
Find the safest way to get to and from school
Avoid Seeing Your Abuser
Ask a friend to walk with you between classes, or ask the school to help you plan your schedule
Safe Space
Find safe spaces on campus to eat lunch and spend free time; find places where there are school staff nearby
Staying Safe at Home
Stay Secure
Keep windows and doors locked when you’re by yourself
Communicate
Let a trusted family member or roommate know what is going on
Get Out
Identify the safest ways out of each room; practice your escape routes if you’re able to
Don’t Feel Safe at Home?
Find a safe place to stay with a friend or other family member
If Your Abuser is in Your Home
Don’t go into rooms where you could be trapped or where there are items that can be used as weapons
Staying Safe Online
Private Mode
Make your accounts and social media profiles as private as possible; turn off the GPS/location-sharing features on your apps
Log Out
Keep your passwords to yourself, and change any passwords that your partner has access to; make sure you log out of all devices that are synced up
Document
Screenshot any abusive, threatening, or harassing messages and save the pictures in a safe place
Block User & Caller
Change your phone’s settings to block your abuser’s phone number; ignore unknown or blocked numbers
Use Your Words Wisely
Understand that any time you contact your abuser using technology, you could be tracked or your words could be used against you
Visit
techsafety.org for additional tips
Additional Tips
Talk with Our Advocates
To learn more about restraining orders and how they could work in your situation
Use a code word
With friends and family so they can call for help if your abuser is around
Avoid Meeting Alone
Avoid talking to your partner alone; let someone know where you’ll be if you’re meeting up with them
Meet in a Public Space
If you want to break up with an abusive partner, try to do it in a public space and review your safety plan beforehand
Have Your Safety Plan Handy
Keep your safety plan up-to-date, even if your partner apologizes and things seem better
