Safety planning for GBV

Thinking ahead about safety is not giving up, and it is not overreacting. It is one of the most practical things you can do to protect yourself and the people who depend on you.

What it is

A safety plan is a personalised, practical plan that helps someone experiencing gender-based violence reduce risk. It covers what to do during an incident, how to leave quickly if needed, and what to have ready in case you need to go at short notice. Safety plans are not one-size-fits-all - they depend on your specific situation, your home, your children and your resources.

Having a plan does not mean you have decided to leave a relationship. Many people build a safety plan while still living with a partner, simply so that if things escalate, they are not caught off guard.

Signs to notice

You may need a safety plan if you notice:

• Arguments or tension that are starting to escalate more often or more intensely
• A partner or family member who has threatened you, your children or themselves
• Access to weapons in the home
• Increasing control over your phone, transport or finances
• A gut feeling that a situation could turn dangerous

What helps

• Identify a safe place you could go quickly - a friend, family member, neighbour or shelter.
• Pack a small "go bag" with copies of ID documents, some cash, medication, phone charger and a change of clothes, kept somewhere accessible or with someone you trust.
• Agree on a code word with a trusted friend or family member that signals you need help without saying so directly.
• Save the GBV Command Centre and SAPS numbers under a discreet contact name in your phone.
• If you have children, talk to them calmly about what to do if they need to get to a safe room or call for help.
• Think through your exits - which doors and routes are usable, and keep car keys accessible if you drive.
• Back up important documents and photos of any injuries or damage in a place the other person cannot access, such as a trusted friend's phone or a cloud account they don't know about.

When to reach out for help

Reach out for professional support to build your safety plan properly, especially if there has been physical violence, threats with a weapon, strangulation, or threats to kill. These are strong indicators of serious danger and deserve expert help, not a plan made alone under pressure. Social workers, GBV counsellors and some SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units can assist with formal safety planning.

Getting help in South Africa

Cleared Mind's EAP counsellors can help you think through a safety plan confidentially. The GBV Command Centre (0800 428 428) operates 24 hours a day and can guide you through building a plan and connect you to shelters and legal support. In an emergency, contact SAPS on 10111 or ambulance services on 10177.

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If you or someone else is in immediate danger, reach out now. SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline (24h): 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393. SAPS 10111, ambulance 10177, GBV Command Centre 0800 428 428.