Safety planning and protection orders
Your safety is always the number one priority. Unfortunately you are never safe with a controlling or violent partner, but there are solutions to protect yourself and your children. If you are in immediate danger, call the police on 17 or send them an SMS via 114.
Below you will find important information on steps that can be taken to protect you and your children.
Even if your partner has never used physical violence against you, or has promised not to do so again, this does not mean you're safe. Unfortunately, with a controlling partner, abuse can escalate quickly.
For when you feel ready, we offer you a step-by-step action plan to help you find safety. We also present the legal protection measures you can consider to prevent the violent person from approaching you.
If you are currently living with your partner and you feel you cannot leave, whatever the reason, it is highly recommended to consider putting strategies in place to try to reduce the risks to your safety.
In the case of an emergency, call the emergency services. Their role is to help you and ensure your safety.
Testimonials
When he started hitting me in front of the children, I became really scared. Our eldest almost got hit trying to protect me. But I didn't want to call the police, I was too afraid that they would ask me for my papers. Finally, I contacted a victim support association. She told me about protection orders and legal aid, and helped me fill out my forms. A week later, my husband was evicted from our apartment, and he wasn’t allowed to come near me. Now that I have to pay the rent on my own, I am trying to find work with the help of the same association.
I thought we were just going through a period of marital difficulties. I associated victims with battered women. It took time for me to finally understand that I too was a victim of domestic violence. Despite this, I didn't have the courage to leave. I first looked a lot on the internet, and I learnt that the separation was a very risky moment. I prepared everything with the help of an association to ensure my safety and that of my children.
The fights had been escalating for a while. If I did something that made him angry, he would yell at me, threaten me. Then he apologised. I thought it was normal to argue in a relationship. The day I decided to leave him, he exploded and became very violent. I managed to lock myself in a room and call the police. If they hadn't come, I don't know how far he would have gone. They then helped me to file a complaint, and to find temporary accommodation while I was getting organised.