What’s the plan?
Written by Audrey Roy on 17/08/11
Photo by: Sai0ne on Flickr
Who has never had a fight with their mom and dad or brothers and sisters? I know I had more than my share! When conflicts occur, whether it is with your family or in social or dating relationships, emotions can run high and someone may do something that is unpredictable and out of character, which can sometimes lead to violence. Of course, not everyone becomes violent when they get into a fight, but it could happen and it is impossible to predict. Unfortunately, a lot more people than we think face family violence on a daily basis. Family violence can happen between parents/guardians, between siblings and between parents and children and vice versa.
The goal of this blog is to encourage you to develop a plan that will get you to a safe place if ever you feel your safety is threatened. It can also be very helpful if you feel unsafe when you are home alone, or if you are in an unhealthy relationship with a boyfriend, girlfriend, or even with a friend!
Basically, your safety plan should include:
- A list of people you can trust and their phone numbers;
- A code word in case you need to call someone on your list when you are in danger. This code word will let the person on the other line know that you need help discreetly, without compromising your safety. They will be able to call the police or 911 for you;
- A quick and safe way to get out of your house (such as a window, door, stairs, etc.);
- A place you can go to be safe (neighbours, family members, community center).
Ideally, you will never need to use your safety plan; but to ensure you have all your bases covered, why not create one? The Kids Help Phone website proposes a safety planner you can fill-out online and print. It is very simple and it outlines all the information you need to develop your own safety plan!
If you have younger siblings or friends, why not help them develop the same plan? Make sure you explain to them why you are doing this and why it is important. If you have any questions when you’re creating your plan, don’t hesitate to ask your parents, friends, teachers or school counselor!
In conclusion, please remember that the best way to end violence is to report it to local authorities, even if it involves a family member. Reporting it is not about getting someone in trouble; it can lead to getting someone help for problems they may be facing (such as addictions, mental health issues, anger issues, etc). If you are not sure how to proceed, talk to an adult you trust like a family member, a neighbour, a teacher or the school counselor. Your safety always comes first and no one deserves to be a victim of violence. If you are a victim of violence, it is NOT your fault and you have the right to live safely.
