Whatever choices you make about your relationship, it is a good idea to have a crisis plan to keep safe or incase you have to leave in a hurry. This is a suggested plan of action which you can add to or change to suit you.

• Teach your children to call 999 in an emergency
• Keep important and emergency phone numbers with you
• Keep some money on you at all times
• Think of neighbours or friends who you could ask for help in an emergency
• Know where the nearest phone is, or keep your mobile with you
• If you think your partner is about to become violent, avoid the kitchen where there are knives and other rooms where you might become trapped - try to stay near to the way out or the phone
• Keep a small bag hidden incase you have to leave in an emergency

Emergency bag

• Make sure you take the keys to the house, car, etc
• Pack all medicine needed by yourself or your children
• Pack toothbrushes, nappies etc. and enough clothes to last for yourself and your children for a few days
• Make sure you have enough money hidden for bus or taxi fares
• Take the children's favourite toys
• Take your legal and financial papers e.g. marriage and birth certificates, court orders, NHS cards, driving licence, cheque book, address book, passport, bank books, bank and credit cards, benefit payment books, tenancy agreement or mortgage details.

If you are planning to leave your partner you can talk to someone from WISH about how to prepare for this and how to protect yourself after you have left.

If you are planning to separate from your partner but remain at home, WISH can support you to make your home more secure and look at ways of keeping yourself safe.