While all of these components of safety planning may not be relevant to your situation, they provide a good overview of things you can do to regain a sense of personal safety.
When you have concerns about safety and security, notify a law enforcement official or VSP about your specific concerns.
You can register with your state’s or Federal victim notification system to be notified about the status of your case and alleged or convicted offender.
Seek information about victim/survivor services that can assist you in the community.
Request measures of protection, and understand how these measures work:
- No-contact order
- Order of protection
- Civil restraining order
- Harassment restraining order
- Victim wrap-around services
- Change the locks on your doors and windows.
- Change the physical security of my home (replace wood doors with steel ones, install bars on doors and windows, install a security system or outside lighting/motion sensors).
- Explore getting a pet that can alert you when a stranger is near.
- Reduce sight obstructions on your property (overgrown shrubs, for example, that block windows)
- Get “caller ID” on your landline to screen telephone calls.
- Get an unlisted telephone number(s).
- Keep your cell phone in near at all times.
- Request that your local law enforcement agency conduct a safety check of your home.
- Request local law enforcement drive by your house on regular patrols.
- Ask neighbors/family members/friends to call the police if they hear or see suspicious activities coming from your home.
- Teach your children how to call 911.
- Alert people who take care of/teach your children specifically who has permission to pick up or visit your children, and who does not.
- Teach your children a code word to ask before going anywhere with anyone.
- Rehearse your safety plan with your children/family.
- Keep a copy of any civil court orders relevant to your safety with you at work.
- Inform relevant people at work (supervisor, security staff) at work of your safety concerns.
- Eat lunch in your work place and avoid going to lunch alone.
- Request “caller ID” for your work telephone if outside calls come directly to you.
- Vary locations for grocery shopping, banking, and shopping and your schedules for errands.
- Vary your daily schedule and driving/public transportation routes to work, school, and other locations that you regularly visit, to avoid establishing a pattern.
- Avoid wearing headphones or ear buds to be more aware of your surroundings.
There are many simple strategies that survivors can take to promote online safety and security.
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and its Technology Safety Initiative offer a variety of practical tips to enhance survivors’ privacy and safety. While designed primarily for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, its resources and tip sheets are very relevant to victims who are enduring intimidation or harassment.
The NNEDV Technology Safety & Privacy Toolkit for Survivors features many components that can be helpful to mass violence victims and survivors, including:
- Basic technology safety
- Phone safety
- Online privacy and safety
- Personal information and data privacy
- Data security