June is National Safety Month

For victims of domestic violence, safety planning is an essential tool to protecting yourself and your family. A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after you leave.  Safety planning involves how to cope with emotions, tell friends and family about the abuse, take legal action and more.

At The Rainbow House, we safety plan with victims, friends and family members — anyone who is concerned about their own safety or the safety of someone they love.  A solid safety plan will have all of the key information you need and be tailored to your unique situation, and will help walk you through different scenarios.

Although some of the things that you outline in your safety plan may seem obvious, it’s important to remember that in moments of crisis, your brain doesn’t function the same way as when you are calm. When adrenaline is pumping through your veins it can be hard to think clearly or make rational decisions about your safety. Having a safety plan laid out in advance can help you to protect yourself in those stressful moments.

For help developing a safety plan or obtaining other services, please call the Rainbow House at (715) 735-6656.