Family Violence Prevention Program
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Protection Planning
People living with domestic violence can improve their safety and the safety of their children by writing and using a protection plan. If you are, or have been, in an abusive relationship, it’s important to have a protection plan.
Be prepared with a protection plan
When making a protection plan, you need to know:
- when a crisis is coming (How does your partner behave before an attack? Are alcohol or drugs involved?)
- what help is available (ex: crisis line 1-877-977-0007; someone you can trust to help)
- all possible escape routes from your home
- a safe place where you and your children can go (ex: a shelter; home of a friend or family)
- how you will get to the safe place (ex: car, bus, someone who’ll pick you up)
- how to get to a phone to call for help (ex: get a cell phone; keep change handy for a pay phone)
- who to call if you are in immediate danger (the police at 911)
Note – Manitoba shelters provide free transportation to a shelter for women and children who need help.
The safety of you and your children is most important. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Don’t take anything with you – just leave immediately!
If you are not in immediate danger, things you should take with you include:
- cash, bank and/or credit cards
- identification for you and your children, i.e. birth certificates, driver’s license, health card, passport
- keys – for your house and/or car
- personal items – clothing and toiletries
- items for your children – clothing, toys, medications, diapers or bottles
Along with writing and practising your protection plan, there are other ways to keep safe:
- Talk about your plan with your children and other family members who may be at risk.
- Find a good counsellor or a trusted person to talk to.
- Practise evacuating your home, in case you need to do it quickly.
- Set a secret code with people you talk to regularly on the phone as a signal you’re in danger, without alerting your partner. For example, “I crave blueberry ice cream.” could be a signal for the person on the line to call 911 right away and send the police to you.
How to get a court Protection Order
If you and your children need immediate protection, you can apply for a protection order. This is a court order, given in an emergency, which forbids the abuser (the respondent) from having any contact with you (the applicant).
If you have been stalked or are a victim of domestic violence, and you believe the behaviour will continue, you can get a protection order. You don’t have to wait until you are actually injured to get help. There is no cost to apply for one
Manitoba Justice, through Victim Services, can help with protection orders, legal questions, custody and the rights of victims. For more information on protection orders or victim services, click here.
Agencies that are funded through Family Violence Protection Program (FVPP) can also help you apply for protection order. Click here for more information (link to a list of our agencies page).
Without help, abusive relationships only get worse.
Help is available
Contact one of the resources (see link below) for more information and find out how to create your own protection plan. If you are in an abusive relationship, or you know someone who may be, call 1-877-977-0007.
