Long Term Safety
What to do if you are receiving threatening or harassing phone calls
Some safety suggestions regarding arriving or leaving work
Keeping safe after separation
Teach your children what to do if your ex-partner makes contact with them unexpectedly, breaching contact arrangements, i.e. rules about checking first before opening the door, coming inside or going to neighbours if he comes to the house, telling a teacher if they are approached at school.
Obtain a Protection Order. Make four copies – one for your handbag, one kept at home, and one at work. Make sure your local police station has a copy.
Teach your children what to do if your ex-partner takes them, e.g. calling the police on 000.
Tell other adults who take care of the children which people have permission to pick them up and who is not permitted to do so (e.g. school teacher, day-care staff, baby sitter).
Talk to your local police about your situation and advise them that you are in the local area. If you have gone into hiding it is important that police have this information in case you are put on a missing person’s register and your partner has the police trying to track you down.
Consider installing an outside lighting system that lights up when a person comes near your house at night.
Tell neighbours that your partner does not live with you and ask them to call the police if he is seen near your house.
Ask your neighbours to contact the police if they hear signs of an assault occurring.
Tell your employer you have a protection order, or that you are afraid of your ex-partner
Ask for your telephone calls at work to be screened.
If your ex-partner breaches the protection order, telephone the Police and report it, contact your lawyer.
If the Police do not help, contact your lawyer for assistance to make a complaint.
What to do if you are receiving threatening or harassing phone calls
Install “Caller ID” on your telephone.
Ask for an unlisted number
Contact the electoral enrolment office and ask for your name and address to be excluded from the published electoral roll.
If possible use different shops and banks to those you used when you lived with your ex-partner
Keep a record of any breaches, noting the time, date and what occurred and what action you took.
Think about how to deal with potential abuse, feelings of fear and safety issues when you have to communicate with your ex-partner by telephone.
Save and document all contacts, messages- including written, injuries or other incidents involving your ex partner. See keeping a diary.
What to do if you are receiving threatening or harassing phone calls
Your telephone company can tell you about permanently blocking your number from being sent when you make calls.
You can request a Silent number
Use an answering machine to monitor and record calls.
Telstra have an answering service that you can use from your home phone for a cost of about $5 a month.
Or ring - Telstra National (or the phone company you use) ‘Unwelcome calls’ enquiries- 8am–5pm, Monday-Friday–free call 1800 805996
If possible get a cheap pre-paid mobile phone
Some safety suggestions regarding arriving or leaving work
let someone know when you'll be home
walk with someone to your cars
scan the parking lot
if your partner is following you, drive to a place where there are people to support you, e.g. a friend's home, police station
if you are walking, take a route that is populated
take different routes home
if you see your partner on the street, try to get to a public place, e.g. shop
you can also call attention to yourself and request help
purchase a personal alarm device
You can use different supermarkets/shopping centres and shop at different times than you did before to reduce the risk of contact with your (ex) partner.
Centrelink
Centrelink can offer help for people who are, or have, experienced domestic and family violence.
You can ring 131021 to find out more about the crisis payment, which is a one-off payment for women escaping domestic violence. You must apply for this within seven days of leaving and you will only be entitled if you qualify for social security benefits.
Ring Centrelink and make an appointment with a social worker in your area. If you need to speak directly to a social worker call 131021 and ask to be connected to a call centre social worker.
Staff can give you information about payments and other service from Centrelink
You can also arrange to speak to a Centrelink social worker
Staff can work to ensure your safety. Including additional measures to protect privacy and confidentiality where necessary.
Correct and complete assessment of income support payments with immediate or early access to payments, to enable you to support yourself and your children, where possible. Information and referral to other community services.
Crisis payment is a one off payment to those who are eligible to assist you in setting up a new home, if you have had to leave home because of domestic and family violence. It is equal to one week’s payment of the social security payment you are normally entitled to.
Always get a counter receipt when you take documents to Centrelink or contact them by phone with important information.
Centrelink Website http://www.centrelink.gov.au