Need help but not sure where to start?

If you are in immediate physical danger you should call the Police on Triple Zero (000) and get to a safe place, if you can. 

If your situation is not an emergency, you can contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or visit your local police station. 

If you need somewhere safe to stay tonight, contact Link2Home on 1800 152 152. If you need to leave home to escape an abusive or unsafe situation, you can call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 656 463.  

If you have thought about leaving the relationship or home, here are some steps that will help keep you safe:

1. Create a safety plan
2. Put together an escape bag
3. Organise a safe form of transport
4. Write down the phone number of a friend, family member or domestic violence hotline you can trust

1. Creating a safety plan

A safety plan is a tool to keep you as safe as possible when living with or leaving a violent partner or person. Planning and being prepared can help minimise the risks of leaving.

A safety plan should be specific to your situation. To make your safety plan, you should:

• Plan an escape route from every room in your home
• Think of a safe area at home to go if an argument starts (away from weapons and hard surfaces, close to an exit etc).
• Plan and practice the quickest way to leave the house
• Pack an escape bag but keep it out of sight of the perpetrator
• If possible, plan a safe time to exit the property (e.g. when no one else is home, while the perpetrator is at work)

2. Packing your escape bag

Essentials

• House and car keys
• ID: for you and children
• Mobile phone and charger
• Change of clothes
• Medication and any prescriptions
• Children’s favourite toy/blanket
• Baby equipment (including bottles and nappies)  

Identification documents

• Your passport and birth certificate
• Children’s passport and birth certificate
• Drivers Licence
• Visa documents (if applicable)
• Medicare and health care cards

Financial

• Money (including cash, credit or debit cards)
• Bank account details

Legal papers

• ADVO (always keep a copy with you)
• Tenancy agreement, lease, or house deed
• Car registration and insurance papers
• Marriage Certificate and/or divorce papers
• Custody papers
• Parenting orders
  

3. Organising a safe form of transport

• If you don’t have a car, make sure you arrange public transport or ask a friend to pick you up.
• If you are in immediate or potential danger, you can call police to pick you up
• Park close to your building for work and home, and consider asking someone to accompany you to and from the car
• Only leave your home and workplace when it is safe to do so
• If possible, park your car on the street instead of in the driveway so you cannot be blocked in
• Practice travelling to the location you have chosen as the safe place, such as a trusted family or friend or crisis accommodation
• After leaving the relationship, start changing your normal routine (catch different trains or buses, leave home or work at different hours and shop in different places)
• If possible, save some money in case you need to take emergency transport to a safe place
  

4. Write down the phone number of a friend, family member or domestic violence hotline you can trust

It's always a good idea to write down the phone numbers of friends and family members that you trust. You can find a list of domestic violence hotlines and services here.

If you are feeling down, stressed, or overwhelmed, it’s important to know there is help available.  

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the Ambulance on Triple Zero (000).  

To find a support service appropriate for your situation, visit our Hotlines page.  

WAGEC does not providelegal advice however we can direct you to services that can help. If you have questions about AVO’s, family law matters, domestic violence, sexual abuse, or discrimination you can contact the Women’s Legal Service for legal support.