Consider if a family member, friend, neighbour, elder, monk, boss, colleague, local authority, police, or NGO could help. It can be difficult to reach out for help, but trusted people can play an essential role in keeping you and your children safer.

Different people might be able to provide different types of support, such as: emotional support, intervention in emergencies, childcare, housing, transport, financial support, legal information, or essential items like clothing.

Consider asking neighbours to call for help if they hear or see violence.

It might also be helpful to create a “code word” or other signal with someone who can help in an emergency. A code word is a random word or phrase that you choose and discuss with trusted people before you’re in a dangerous situation. You can then say the agreed code word in a call or message to ask that person for immediate help without the perpetrator knowing.

Consider immediately going elsewhere if a threat is escalating or you feel unsafe. Consider in advance where you and your children could go. Your options might include a trusted person’s house, an authority, a pagoda, or other public place such as a market, busy street, village centre, restaurant or store.

Think about transport and how you would get there in an emergency. Consider places where you could stay either short or long-term.

If you have access to a phone, consider saving a list of contact details for police, local authorities, and other trusted people. Alternatively, consider memorising at least one essential phone number.

If a threat is escalating or you feel unsafe, consider if you can move towards the safest area of your home.

Some areas might be safer because they are easy to escape from via doors or windows. Other areas might be less safe because they have dangerous heights (such as stairs, balconies and rooftops) or dangerous items that could be used as a weapon by the perpetrator (such as kitchen knives or farming tools).

Consider if you can store items that could be used as weapons out-of-sight or in hard-to-reach places.

Consistently offer your children reassurance and affection. Emphasise that any violence is not their fault. Assure them they should not try to intervene or protect you.

Depending on your child’s age, consider teaching them in advance what to do if a threat is escalating or they see or hear violence. Consider teaching them the step-by-step actions they can take, such as going to or hiding in a safe place and alerting others that you need help.

Discuss in advance which places are safest, how they will get there, who they can ask to help, and how to find any important phone numbers.

It might be dangerous to return home after leaving, especially if you plan to divorce or separate. Consider if you can safely take items such as your:

• Keys
• Cash or valuables
• Phone
• Basic clothing
• Children’s items
• Important documents (such as ID cards or birth certificates)
• Medication

Consider if you can keep a small bag packed with essential items in case you need to leave quickly. Alternatively, consider keeping essential items at a safer place before leaving, such as at a trusted person’s home or your workplace.

Consider if you can increase your financial independence by:

• Saving money
• Hiding your valuables such as cash and gold
• Keeping money and valuables with a trusted person
• Opening your own bank account
• Joining a saving group
• Increasing your own income

Consider informing trusted, appropriate people at the workplace, university or school about any potential risks to you or your children’s safety. Explain how they can help you, such as by not disclosing your location, not allowing the perpetrator to enter the premises, and not allowing a child to leave with them.

If a perpetrator comes to your workplace or school, consider staying inside until you are sure they have left the area. Alternatively, assess in advance the safest way to leave.

If possible, consider travelling by different means and/or by a different route each day. Consider asking someone to accompany you or your child.

Be aware that Facebook and social media posts may give a perpetrator information about where you are.

Do not use passwords or PIN numbers that the perpetrator could easily guess, such as your birth date or phone number. If it is safe to do so, regularly change the passwords on your phone, social media, and banking accounts. However, be mindful that a perpetrator who had access to your account will likely realise you changed the password.

Consider blocking a perpetrator’s phone number and social media accounts to reduce unwanted contact.

Close this page after you have finished using it, and if possible, delete this page from your browsing history.

Consider if you can install sensor lights or cameras to alert you when someone is nearby. If you are not living with a perpetrator, consider if you can install or change locks and strengthen any weak areas of your home that would be easy to enter from.