Red Flag Campaign | Safety Planning for Students

Safety Planning for Students

Here are several things you can do to help yourself and/or your friend.

This is not your fault! No one deserves to be treated in an abusive way!
Seek outside help in a support group or in counseling. Talk to your student counseling center or call the Virginia Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-838-8238 (v/tty) (LINK) to find help near you.
Share what's happening with a trusted friend. It is important to have a good support system to get through this.
Abusers will often isolate their victims; reach out to friends and family you may have not connected with in a while.
If you live together, try to save small amounts of money. Keep it in a safe place like a safety deposit box or with a friend.
Open your own savings account; if you live together, do not have the statements sent to your home; get a P.O. Box or pick them up at the bank.
Leave some extra money at a friend's home.
If you want to try to stay in school, ask the student counseling center if they can refer you to offices that can help you get through tough semesters, You may also inquire about withdrawing from classes so you can take a break away from campus.
If possible get a part time or full time job"check out student employment opportunities.
Identify family members or friends who could lend temporary financial support.
Consider taking out extra student loans to help pay for a new apartment.
Investigate student housing options"emergency loans and housing are sometimes available.
Call campus police or 911
Be aware of weapons your partner may have
Avoid going on long trips alone with your partner
Tell your RA/roommates about the situation
Arrange for double dates"if possible try not to be alone with your partner
If the abuser also lives in your residence hall, try to get transferred into another building, switch rooms etc"ask the student counseling center if they can assist in facilitating the transfer
Try to let friends, roommates and RAs know where you are going and when you should be back"check-in with them while you're out
If your abuser has a copy of your key, request that s/he return it to you, or change your locks
If you live with her/him: Include keys, emergency phone numbers, money for calls or a prepaid calling card, a change of clothes for you and your kids (if you have children), and medications
Don't forget important documents such as birth certificates, resident cards/student IDs, social security cards, student loan info and schedules
Arrange for a safe place to leave your school books, such as a trusted friends' place, the locked trunk of your car, etc.
Call the Virginia Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-838-8238 (v/tty) to find a domestic violence court advocate near you, so you can discuss your options.

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