Download Your Teen Safety Planning Guide
A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes information and strategies to remain safe while in an abusive relationship, when planning to leave, or after you leave. Here are some helpful ways to stay safe at school, at home and online.
Download Teen Safety Planning GuideRemember Your Emotional Safety
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Trust your InstinctsIf it doesn‘t feel right to you, it probably isn‘t |
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Set BoundariesYou have a right to be safe and to set your own boundaries |
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It is Not Your FaultNo one deserves to be abused physically, sexually, emotionally, or verbally — it‘s not your fault, no matter what your partner says |
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Take Time for YouDo activities you enjoy and spend time with supportive family and friends |
Helpful Items to Keep with You at All Times

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A working cell phone and charger |
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Spare cash in case abuser gets into your phone-pay apps |
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Keys |
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Driver’s License and/or other important ID |
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Copy of restraining order |
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Important phone numbers of people/places you trust |
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Your safety plan |
Staying Safe at School

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Create a Safe RouteFind the safest way to get to and from school |
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Avoid Seeing Your AbuserAsk a friend to walk with you between classes, or ask the school to help you plan your schedule |
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Safe SpaceFind safe spaces on campus to eat lunch and spend free time; find places where there are school staff nearby |
Staying Safe at Home

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Stay SecureKeep windows and doors locked when you’re by yourself |
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CommunicateLet a trusted family member or roommate know what is going on |
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Get OutIdentify the safest ways out of each room; practice your escape routes if you’re able to |
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Don’t Fee Safe at Home?Find a safe place to stay with a friend or other family member |
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If Your Abuser is in Your HomeDon’t go into rooms where you could be trapped or where there are items that can be used as weapons |
Staying Safe Online

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Private ModeMake your accounts and social media profiles as private as possible; turn off the GPS/location-sharing features on your apps |
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Log OutKeep your passwords to yourself, and change any passwords that your partner has access to; make sure you log out of all devices that are synced up |
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DocumentScreenshot any abusive, threatening, or harassing messages and save the pictures in a safe place |
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Block User & CallerChange your phone’s settings to block your abuser’s phone number; ignore unknown or blocked numbers |
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Use Your Words WiselyUnderstand that any time you contact your abuser using technology, you could be tracked or your words could be used against you |
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Visittechsafety.org for additional tips |
Additional Tips

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Talk with Our AdvocatesTo learn more about restraining orders and how they could work in your situation |
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Use a code wordWith friends and family so they can call for help if your abuser is around |
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Avoid Meeting AloneAvoid talking to your partner alone; let someone know where you’ll be if you’re meeting up with them |
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Meet in a Public SpaceIf you want to break up with an abusive partner, try to do it in a public space and review your safety plan beforehand |
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Have Your Safety Plan HandyKeep your safety plan up-to-date, even if your partner apologizes and things seem better |