69 CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS Safety Plan continued Prepare if you need to leave In case you need to leave home, it may be helpful to have any important information (e.g. phone numbers, locations, etc.) for safer places you can go. You can also spend some time thinking about how you might get there (e.g. walk, bike / scooter, take public transit, ask someone you trust for a ride, etc.), who you’ll tell if you need to leave home (and where they can meet you, if that’s what you want) and what you’ll need to bring with you. If it’s an option for you, you can keep a packed bag somewhere hidden and accessible to you — this could even be stored outside the home in your locker at school, at a friend’s house, etc. You may want to include anything you may need while you’re away from home (e.g. clothes, money, food, transit passes, medications, phone chargers, etc.). List your personal / professional supports Consider keeping a list of all of the people and / or resources you can contact when you’re feeling unsafe. Your list may include family / community members, friends or other safe people as well as emergency / community services, etc. It may help to make note of phone numbers, addresses, directions, hours of operation and any other contact information for your supports. This may help you to access them quickly. Identify your limits / boundaries You’re the expert of your own experience(s). Because you have the best understanding of what your limits are, it can be helpful to reflect on when someone’s words / actions become too much for you. You can add your limits / boundaries to your safety plan at any time, and you can use your plan to take action and feel safer if you reach your limits / your boundaries are crossed. Remember: You can connect with Kids Help Phone 24/7 about anything on your mind. Track evidence of abuse If you’re experiencing abuse at home, it may be helpful to keep a record of any incidents to share with people who can support you. Try to take photos of any physical injuries and keep a journal of any incidents. Documenting the abuse can help you share what you’re experiencing and how often it happens. This may be especially helpful when connecting with community / emergency services or if you need medical attention. Consider saving your records in a private place where the people using abusive behaviour aren’t likely to find / destroy them. If it’s difficult for you to keep information private, you may want to seek support from someone you trust to document / report the abuse. Practise self-care It’s common for people to experience physical / emotional responses to abuse. If you’re experiencing abuse at home, you may be feeling anxious, angry, numb, on edge and / or sad and have low self-esteem, physical health issues and more. Everyone responds to the impacts of abuse differently, so it may be helpful to notice how your mind and body are reacting. Practising self-care can be a way to cope with your responses to abuse and take care of your mental health and well-being. Your wellness is important. kidshelpphone.ca
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