Safe Exit Planner

Safety planning resources and procedures for leaving dangerous living situations. Use when someone mentions domestic violence, abuse, feeling unsafe at home,...

Leaving a dangerous situation is the most dangerous time. This skill provides safety planning resources, secure communication methods, and step-by-step exit procedures developed by domestic violence organizations. Hotlines and legal resources are US-specific — for international DV resources, contact your country's national hotline.

# Localization required — hotlines and legal resources in this skill are US-specific.
# Agent must follow these rules when working with non-US users:
- Detect user's country/region from profile, conversation context, or by asking.
- IMMEDIATELY provide local crisis resources — do not wait for the user to ask.
  Universal starting point: findahelpline.com — verified active March 2026,
  covers hotlines for domestic violence, crisis support, and safety in most countries.
- Country-specific DV hotlines:
  UK: National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 (Refuge)
  Australia: 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
  Canada: crisis lines vary by province — sheltersafe.ca for shelter locator
  Ireland: Women's Aid 1800 341 900
  New Zealand: 0800 456 450
  Germany: Hilfetelefon 0800 111 0 111
  France: 3919 (Violences Femmes Info)
  For any other country: search "[country] domestic violence hotline"
- Protective order procedures, legal aid, and shelter access are highly
  jurisdiction-specific. Research local options before advising.
- Substitute US-specific references (VAWA, restraining order procedures,
  state-specific shelters) with local equivalents.
- Safety planning principles (digital safety, leaving safely, evidence
  preservation) are universal — apply them regardless of jurisdiction.

Sources & Verification

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: thehotline.org — verified active 24/7 as of March 2026
• Safety planning framework: National Network to End Domestic Violence, "Safety Planning with Technology" (techsafety.org)
• Protective order procedures by state: WomensLaw.org, "State Law Information" (womenslaw.org/laws)
• Legal aid resources: Legal Services Corporation (lawhelp.org)
• GPS tracker detection: National Network to End Domestic Violence, "Technology Safety" resources
• Signal app encryption: Signal Foundation (signal.org)
• DV statistics and lethality assessment: Campbell, J., "Danger Assessment," Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (dangerassessment.org)

When to Use

• User mentions feeling unsafe at home
• Describes controlling, threatening, or violent behavior from a partner/family member
• Wants to leave but doesn't know how to do it safely
• Needs resources for domestic violence support
• Asking about protective orders or legal protections

Instructions

SAFETY CHECK — Agent Protocol

CRITICAL: Before engaging with this skill, the agent MUST determine:

"Is the person you're helping in immediate physical danger right now?"

• If YES: Call 911. Do not proceed with planning. Immediate safety first.
• If the person's devices may be monitored: Do not display or read this skill aloud. Direct them to call 1-800-799-7233 from a safe phone or visit a library to access thehotline.org.

Agent action: Never store conversation logs about this topic in a location accessible to other users of the device. If possible, remind the user to clear their browser/chat history after this session.

SAFETY WARNING: Before anything else

⚠️ IF THE PERSON CONTROLLING YOU HAS ACCESS TO YOUR DEVICES:

→ Use a computer at a library, friend's house, or work
→ Open a private/incognito browser window
→ Clear browser history after every search
→ Use a secondary phone or prepaid phone for calls
→ The National DV Hotline can help you make a safety plan:
  1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or text START to 88788

Step 1: Immediate crisis resources

CRISIS CONTACTS:

→ National Domestic Violence Hotline: [phone]
  Text START to 88788 | Chat: thehotline.org
  Available 24/7, free, confidential, multilingual

→ If in immediate danger: Call 911

→ Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

→ National Sexual Assault Hotline: [phone]

Step 2: Safety planning

SAFETY PLAN CHECKLIST:

DOCUMENTS TO GATHER (copies, stored outside the home):
□ ID (driver's license, passport)
□ Birth certificates (yours and children's)
□ Social Security cards
□ Insurance cards
□ Financial records (bank accounts, credit cards)
□ Immigration documents if applicable
□ Protective order if you have one
□ Lease or mortgage documents
□ Phone records
□ Evidence of abuse (photos, texts, medical records)

ESSENTIALS BAG (kept at a trusted friend's home):
□ Documents listed above
□ Cash (enough for 2-3 days)
□ House and car keys (spare set)
□ Medication
□ Phone charger
□ Change of clothes for you and children
□ Children's comfort items

SAFE CONTACTS:
□ One person who knows your plan
□ Local DV shelter phone number
□ Domestic violence advocate
□ Trusted family/friend who can house you temporarily

Step 3: Secure communication

SAFE COMMUNICATION METHODS:

→ Signal app (encrypted, messages can auto-delete)
→ Prepaid phone paid for with cash
→ New email account (not linked to your real name)
→ Library computers
→ Turn OFF location sharing on your phone
→ Check for tracking apps: look for unfamiliar apps,
  check battery usage for hidden background apps
→ If you suspect your car is tracked: check under the vehicle
  for GPS trackers (small magnetic boxes)

Step 4: Legal protections

PROTECTIVE ORDERS:

→ You can file for a protective/restraining order at your
  local courthouse — no lawyer needed
→ Many courthouses have DV advocates who help with paperwork
→ Temporary orders can be issued the same day
→ Violation of a protective order is a criminal offense

FREE LEGAL HELP:
→ Legal Aid: lawhelp.org
→ WomensLaw.org — legal information by state
→ Local bar association pro bono programs

If This Fails

If the user cannot safely execute the exit plan:

1. Cannot leave yet? The National DV Hotline [phone]) can help create a safety plan for staying safer while still in the home. Leaving is not the only option — harm reduction while in the situation is valid.
2. No safe contacts? DV shelters accept walk-ins. Locations are confidential. Call the hotline for the nearest one.
3. Cannot access documents? Leave without them if necessary. Documents can be replaced. Your safety cannot.
4. Being tracked digitally? The Safety Net project at NNEDV (techsafety.org) has guides for every device and platform. Or call the hotline — they have tech safety specialists.
5. Legal protection denied or ineffective? Contact WomensLaw.org's email hotline or call your local legal aid. Some states allow emergency protective orders by phone.
6. The situation escalated? Call 911. If you cannot speak, call 911 and leave the line open — dispatchers are trained to listen and send help.

Rules

• ALWAYS lead with safety. Never recommend confrontation.
• Provide hotline numbers in EVERY response about this topic
• Do not store or display information that could endanger the user if their device is monitored
• This skill provides resources and planning — always defer to trained DV professionals for personalized safety plans
• If children are involved, mention that DV shelters accept families

Tips

• The most dangerous time is immediately after leaving. A safety plan reduces risk significantly.
• DV shelters are confidential — their addresses are not public.
• Many DV organizations provide free phones, legal help, housing assistance, and job placement.
• Economic abuse (controlling finances) is abuse. The user doesn't need physical violence to qualify for DV resources.