This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland

If you have experienced or are concerned about domestic violence, you may want to make a safety plan. Here are our tips on what your safety plan should cover.

Even if you are not planning to leave the perpetrator or ask them to leave, it's a good idea to plan how you can protect yourself if the violence or abuse recurs or worsens.

Your personal safety plan could include the following:

• Tell someone you trust about what has happened, and set up a password with them so you can let them know if you are in danger.
• Keep the following with you at all times if possible:
  • cash and cash cards
  • a mobile phone
  • address book, with numbers of (for example): domestic abuse support agencies, your GP, your local police station, your children's schools, your solicitor, and your social worker, where relevant
  • car keys.
• Teach your children to dial 999 in an emergency.
• Pack a bag containing essentials for you and your children and leave it somewhere safe (for example, at the house of a neighbour you trust).
• Arrange somewhere you can stay in an emergency.
• If you are attacked, or think you are about to be attacked, try to get to a safer room, one where there is a telephone and an exit; avoid rooms (for example, the kitchen) where there are items that could be used as weapons.
• Keep any evidence of the abuse, for example any threatening letters or text messages, and go to hospital if you have been injured so there is evidence of the injury.
• Call 999 if you need help.

Send us feedback

Get advice by email