Whether or not you are contemplating leaving an abusive partner, it is important that you establish an emergency plan to ensure the safety of both yourself and your children should an abusive situation arise.

Establish an escape route. Know where you can go to be safe, if only to make a phone call.

If you have been abused before, make sure the police are fully aware of the situation.

Have emergency numbers programmed into the phone (shelter, neighbours, those who will help you).

Speak with your neighbours and people you can trust; let them know what's going on so they can be watching out for you.

Call a transition house and talk to the staff. You may want to work out a code word so they know who you are if you have to call them in a crisis.

Hide some money away if possible; you may need emergency taxi fare.

Talk to the children. They need to know which neighbour to run to in an emergency.

Pack an emergency bag in case you need to leave quickly or make a list of things to take and make sure you know where to find them in an emergency.

Get legal and other advice now. Do not wait for an emergency.