Leaving Your Home

This section covers things to consider if you need to leave where you are living.  Where possible, try to have a plan in place, in case you need to leave in an emergency.  You can talk through these options and your plan for leaving with your ASSIST worker.

Before taking any of these safety steps, please consider if it might add to your risk.  If you want to leave but have concerns about it, speak to your ASSIST worker to help decide the safest way to do it.

• Plan a safe time to leave.  For example, you might want to leave when your (ex) partner is away from the house for a reasonable length of time e.g. at work or out for the evening
• If you can, try to arrange somewhere to stay, even if it's just for the first night.  This could be with a trusted friend or family member.  If this isn't a safe option, speak to Women's Aid or your local council's homelessness department
• We know that it might not be possible to have a plan in place, so if you need to leave in an emergency, phone your local council's out of hours homelessness service or the Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 027 1234, for advice

Emergency Bag

Think about having an emergency bag packed with essential items.  If you don't have anywhere safe at home to hide your emergency bag, consider leaving it with a friend, family member or someone you trust, if you can.  

Things you might want to pack can include:

• Important documents such as birth certificates, passports, driving license, bank cards, housing paperwork
• Clothing and toiletries
• Any essential medication and medical information
• Any essentials you will need for your children
• Phone charger and list of emergency contact numbers e.g. Women's Aid, your local homelessness service, friends or family
• If possible, some money for a taxi or public transport

Pets

Having pets can make it difficult to leave an abusive relationship, especially if you need to move out of your home at short notice.  You might want to have a plan in place with a trusted family member or friend, who could look after your pet for a little while.

There are pet fostering services in Scotland you can contact that might be able to help or speak to your ASSIST worker.

Dogs Trust Freedom Project

Pet Fostering Service Scotland

Some, but not all, Women's Aid refuges will consider allowing dogs.  For more information, contact your local Women's Aid group.