Staying Safe and Sane

QUICK EXIT

Exit Plan

The Escape Plan: Staying Two Steps Ahead

When you are preparing to leave, your safety depends on your discretion. You are making “invisible moves” to ensure that when you go, you stay gone. Here is how to protect your trail and find your “Safe Haven.”

1. Hide Your Digital Footprint (The “False Trail”)

Your devices can accidentally “tell” on you.

  • Clear Everything: Every time you use your phone or computer to search for help, housing, or legal advice, clear your browser history immediately.
  • Go Private: Use “Incognito” or “Private” mode every single time.
  • Predictive Text: Be careful—your phone might “suggest” words like “Refuge” or “Lawyer” in the search bar if you aren’t careful.

2. Location Privacy (Stop the Tracking)

An abuser’s greatest tool is knowing where you are.

  • Apps: Turn off “Share My Location” on all social media (Facebook, Snapchat, etc.) and phone settings.
  • Physical Tracking: Carefully check your car, the lining of your bags, and even your children’s toys/belongings for AirTags or GPS trackers.

3. Know Your Destination

Never leave without a “Target” location. You need a place where the abuser cannot find you or cannot enter.

  • The Refuge: A safe house managed by experts.
  • The Police: A specific station you have identified.
  • The Hidden Friend: A friend or family member’s home that the abuser does not know exists.

4. Immediate Support & Emergency Lines

🚨 POLICE: 111 (The Silent Call) If you are in immediate danger or things are escalating, call 111. If you are too scared to speak: Stay on the line. When prompted, press 55. This tells the operator it is a silent emergency and you need help dispatched immediately.

🏠 WOMEN’S REFUGE: 0800 733 843 (24/7 Crisis Line) Call anytime for a safe house and expert advice. They can help you even if you leave with nothing but the clothes on your back.

✨ SHINE HELPLINE: 0508 744 633 (Confidential Support) Open 9am to 11pm, 7 days a week. Use this for non-judgmental advice and information on how to stay safe.

The “Safe and Sane” Pro-Tip:

In all my years spent in the family violence system, I’ve seen that the most successful exits are the ones that happen when the abuser is at work or out of the house. Don’t wait for a fight to leave. Wait for the quietest moment, take your “Go-Bag,” and go to your destination.