October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Safety Plan

Originally posted 10/29/2025

What do I do if I don’t feel safe in my relationship? What can you do if you are worried about a loved one who is experiencing abuse?

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline “Abusive relationships are extremely complex situations, and it takes a lot of courage to leave. Abuse is about power and control. When a survivor leaves their abusive relationship, they threaten the power and control their partner has established over the survivor’s legacy. This often causes the partner to retaliate in harmful ways. As a result, leaving is often the most dangerous period of time for survivors of abuse” (Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline, emphasis added).

Whether you are a survivor of domestic violence, or you are supporting a loved one, these resources are designed to help you safely prepare to exit an abusive relationship.

1) The Maricopa Association of Governments put together a concise Domestic Violence Safety Plan, including immediate steps for physical safety and secondary steps for physical, financial, and emotional safety (See graphic attached to this post, dvsafety-new.cdr).

2)      myPlan is a domestic violence resource app developed by medical and mental health professionals with input from “DV survivors, friends of survivors, and relationship violence advocates.” myPlan walks you through basic questions about your specific situation and helps create a personalized safety plan tailored to your unique circumstances and needs (myPlan | Everyone Deserves to Be Safe in Their Relationships).

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you need help with a safety plan, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), texting START to 88788, or visiting https://www.thehotline.org.

For more information, contact our office, CONTACT US | Castle Law.