Domestic Violence Safety Plan

Staying Safe:
MAG Distributes Domestic Violence
Safety Plan

Download the safety plan brochure here. (PDF, 79 KB)

PHOENIX, October 26, 1998 — Knowing what to do while living in an abusive household or planning what steps to take when leaving an abuser could mean the difference between life and death for thousands of Valley abuse victims.

In an effort to help domestic violence victims learn more about staying safe when living with or leaving an abuser, the Maricopa Association of Governments will begin distributing a "Domestic Violence Safety Plan" throughout the Valley.

The first copies of the plan will be released and packed into emergency food boxes during a news conference at 9:30 a.m. Monday, November 2nd, at the Westside Food Bank, 4211 N. 43rd Avenue. Additional video opportunities are available at a variety of other distribution points.

The brochure includes tips such as planning escape routes, staying out of rooms with no exit, and teaching children a code word that lets them know to call 9-1-1. It also contains a checklist of things to take when leaving an abuser, such as identification, children's birth certificates, medical records, spare keys, money and legal documents.

The plan, which will also be available in Spanish, is being distributed through DES offices, Maricopa County Food Banks, five City of Phoenix Family Services Centers, 17 senior centers, 13 community action programs, seven Phoenix school districts, six Valley hospitals, six community colleges and Arizona State University. In all, 150,000 copies will be distributed. American Express and Valley of the Sun United Way are underwriting the cost of printing the safety brochure.

"We've had so many incredible partners step up to help bring this plan forward and make it available on such a wide basis," says James M. Bourey, MAG Executive Director. "That makes it much more likely that this safety plan will reach the hands of thousands of women — and men — who need this information."

Domestic Violence experts and a former abuse victim will be on hand during the news conference to talk about the importance of the safety plan, which includes a new hotline number that can immediately identify available shelter space. That means for the first time in Valley history, victims can call a single number to find beds, without having to go through an entire list of shelters.

"This plan offers useful and succinct information about protecting yourself and your kids in abusive situations," says Cody Williams, a Phoenix councilman who chairs MAG's Domestic Violence subcommittee. "Information that could save someone's life."

Williams points out that the safety brochure is only the first step in the development and implementation of an overall Regional Domestic Violence Plan being formulated through MAG.

"It is imperative for us to unite as a region to fight this insidious opponent," says Williams. "We've all been fighting individual skirmishes, when what we need is an all-out, coordinated war against domestic violence."

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a regional organization that develops policies and makes decisions in areas such as transportation, air quality, water quality, solid waste and human services. MAG is made up of Valley communities working together to ensure a better quality of life for nearly three million residents in the Maricopa region. The region encompasses metropolitan Phoenix and includes the many cities, towns and Indian communities within Maricopa County. Governed by a Regional Council that includes 24 city mayors and other lead elected officials, MAG is the forum for ensuring an effective allocation of regional resources.

For more information about the Domestic Violence Safety Plan news event, or to arrange additional coverage, contact Kelly Taft at 452-5020.