Knowing ways to protect your self is essential. If you would like some assistance in developing a safety plan please contact the Greater Sudbury Police Domestic Violence Unit and a referral can be made to you. Please use the following suggestions as you plan for your safety and the safety of your children.

• If possible leave and call police before any violence starts
• You and your children should have a planned escape route
• Know where you will go, a place of safety for you and your children
• Keep an extra set of car keys hidden in a place where you can get to them quickly
• Keep a copy of important documents and money in a safe place
• Tell trusted friends, neighbors and relatives about the abuse and create a code that would signal them to call police
• Have a code for your children that will let them know to go and get help
• Make sure your children know where the cell phone is and how to use it

• Keep your cell phone charged. Any charged cell phone will call 911. Even if you don’t have a plan or pay-as-you-go minutes your phone will still dial 911.
• Tell your neighbors about your situation. They are an extra set of eyes and to call the police is they see your spouse if he is on court ordered terms not to be near your residence.
• Ensure your children’s school is aware of any court orders.
• If possible have someone accompany your children to school or the bus stop.
• The more people you make aware of the situation the more eyes and ears you have. Make your employer aware.
• If possible change your daily routine.
• Make sure your residence is well lit and install a security system if possible.
• If a problem happens when you are driving stay in a well populated area and call police on your cell phone. If you do not have a cell phone then honk your horn continuously drawing attention to yourself and drive to the police station.
• If you use public transit sit close to the driver and once you get off the bus call someone while you walk home or as soon as you arrive home.

1. Domestic violence is any use of physical or sexual force, actual or threatened, in an intimate relationship, including emotional/psychological abuse or harassing behaviour. Although both women and men can be victims of domestic violence, the overwhelming majority of this violence involves men abusing women.
2. Intimate relationships include those between the opposite sex and same sex partners. These relationships vary in duration and legal formality, and include current and former dating, common law and married couples.
3. Criminal Code offences include, but are not limited to, homicide, assault, sexual assault, threatening death or bodily harm, forcible confinement, harassment/stalking, abduction, breaches of court orders and property related offences.
4. These crimes are often committed in a context where there is a pattern of assaultive and controlling behaviour. This violence may include physical assault, and emotional, psychological and sexual abuse. It can include threats to harm children, other family members, pets and property. The violence is used to intimidate, humiliate or frighten victims, or to make them powerless. Domestic violence may include a single act of abuse. It may also include a number of acts that may appear minor or trivial when viewed in isolation, but collectively form a pattern that amounts to abuse.

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