Off-campus safety plan

Make a plan to stay safe if you live off campus by using the following outline.

Staying safe on campus

  • The safest way for me to get to class is:
  • These are the places on campus that I often run into the alleged or the abuser:
    (I will try to avoid as much as possible)
    • There may be times where I have no choice but to go to these places. If I need to go, I will ask one of these people to come with me:
  • If I feel threatened or unsafe when I am on campus, I can go to these public areas where I feel safe:'

Staying safe at home

  • I can tell these people (roommates, apartment staff, close friends) about what is going on in my relationship:
  • There will be time when my roommates/housemates are gone. If I feel unsafe during those time, I can have people stay with me. I will ask:
  • The safest way for me to leave my house/apartment in an emergency is:
  • If I have to leave the house/apartment in an emergency, I should try to go to a place that is public, safe and unknown by the alleged/the abuser. I could go here:
  • I will use a code word to alert my family, friends, roommates and/or housemates to call for help without the alleged/the abuser knowing about it. My codeword is:
    • Don’t forget to tell these people the code word ASAP

Emergency preparedness

  • These are people I can call in an emergency (friend, family member, classmate):
    • Write down names and phone numbers of several trusted people.
  • It's good to have an emergency bag I can take with me if I ever feel unsafe in my living situation and need to leave. These are things I can take with me:
    • Clothing
    • Cell phone/charger
    • Cash
    • Credit or debit card
    • Medications
    • Driver’s license
    • Restraining order
    • Laptop/charger
    • Valuables
    • Keys
    • Photos
    • Important documents
      • Birth certificate
      • Immigration papers
      • Social Security card
      • Passport
      • Other

Staying Safe Emotionally

  • The alleged/the abuser often makes me feel bad by saying this:
    • When The alleged/the abuser does this, I will think of these reasons why I know the alleged/the abuser is wrong:
  • I have healthy coping mechanisms or things I enjoy such as:
  • I will join clubs or organizations that interest me such as:

Off-campus resources

These are safe places off campus that I can go should I need to leave my residence:

Crime Victims Assistance Center

  • 607-722-4256 

A New Hope Center

  • 20 Church St. Owego, N.Y.
  • 907-687-6866  or 800-696-7600 

Rise (SOS) Shelter and Advocacy Services

  • 1201 E Main St. Endicott, N.Y.
  • 607-754-4340  or 877-754-4340

Should I ever need medical attention these are places I can go off campus:

Lourdes Hospital:

  • 169 Riverside Dr, ßÙßÇÂþ»­, N.Y.
  • 607-798-5231 

UHS ßÙßÇÂþ»­ General Hospital:

  • 10-42 Mitchell Ave, ßÙßÇÂþ»­, N.Y.
  • 607-762-2231

UHS Wilson Medical Center:

  • 33-57 Harrison St, Johnson City, N.Y.
  • 607-763-6611 

Protecting family

These are things I can do if I have children:

  • Teach children their names, addresses and important phone numbers (including 911)
  • Teach children that the abuse is not their fault, not to intervene because it can hurt them and violence is never right
  • Help children make a list of people they are comfortable and safe talking to
  • Give copies of custody orders/protective orders to childcare
  • Come up with a list of safe places that children can go
  • If you need to flee a situation make sure you bring insurance cards, immunization records
  • If you have custody exchanges:
    • Meet in a safe, public place (ex. restaurant, bank, police station, library)
    • Bring a friend or relative with you to exchange children

Support systems

These are things I can ask my family and/or friends for help with:

  • I will spend time with people who support me and make me feel good about myself
  • I will ask my friends to keep their phones on them with me in case we get separated and I need help
  • I will keep in touch with someone I trust about my whereabouts
  • I will stay out of isolated places and won't go anywhere alone
  • I will avoid talking to the alleged/the abuser. If unavoidable, I will make sure there are people around just in case the situation becomes dangerous

Other precautions

I will take these safety precautions in my living environment:

  • I will alert the property management or UPD about what is happening in my relationship so that the alleged/the abuser is not allowed in my building
  • I can provide a picture of the alleged/the abuser to the property management or UPD so they can help me intervene if they see the alleged/the abuser in my building
  • I will keep my doors and windows locked, especially if I am alone
  • I can look into getting a protective order so that I will have legal support in keeping the alleged/the abuser away
  • I can take a self-defense course
  • I can download an app that helps with my safety
  • When I go out in public, these are things I can do to avoid the alleged/the abuser:
    • I will avoid places where the alleged/the abuser or their family/friends are likely to be
    • I will always find a way to have a safe way to exit somewhere
    • I will leave if I ever feel uncomfortable in any situation, regardless of what my friends are doing

Contact with alleged/abuser

 If I should be contacted by or run into the alleged/the abuser, these things I can do to stay safe:

  • I will not communicate with the alleged/the abuser using any type of technology if unnecessary since any form of communication can be recorded and possibly used against me in the future
  • I will save and keep track of any abusive, threatening or harassing comments, emails, and/or voicemails
  • I can block the alleged/the abuser’s phone number from calling my phone
  • If I am planning to drink, I will make sure to have a sober ride home, who is not the alleged/the abuser
  • I will call 911 if I feel that my safety is at risk

Online safety

 I can stay safe online by doing the following:

  • I will not say or do anything online that I wouldn’t in person
  • I will set all of my online profiles private as they can be

Campus resources

Resources on campus that can help me should I need to file a report, rearrange my schedule or possibly transfer residence halls to avoid my abuser and/or generally stay safe on campus:

  • University Police: Couper Administration Building, open 24 hours a day. 607-777-2222 (from cell) or 911 (from campus phones)
  • Decker Student Health Services Center: 607-777-2221 
  • University Counseling Center: 607-777-2772  (dial ext. 2 after 5 p.m.)
  • Title IX Coordinator, Andrew Baker: 607-777-2486, abaker@binghamton.edu
  • Dean of Students Office/CARE Team: 607-777-2804, dos@binghamton.edu
  • Free OCC Legal Clinic
  • Residential Life main office: CIW Tuscarora 213, 607-777-2321 
  • Q Center: LS-G549, 607-777-6028  
  • Multicultural Resource Center: LS-G500, 607-777-4472 

Apps

There are special apps I can use when I go somewhere to help me feel safe:

  1. Noonlight: Hold button until safe, then release button and enter 4-digit pin. In danger, don't enter a pin, the police automatically will be notified of your location and emergency. Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
  2. ICE Blackbox: Surveillance camera on your phone. When launched, the application can send video, audio and GPS (Global Positioning Service) information immediately to secure storage on the internet. Available on Google Play Store.
  3. Watch Over Me: Let the app know how long you want it to "watch over you," and it will track your location. If you don't tap "I'm safe" by a certain amount of time, your loved one will be alerted. They will be provided with any photos/videos you've uploaded. Available on Google Play Store.
  4. myPlan Safety App: Allows you to look for unhealthy signs in your relationship. Also allows you to create a safety plan. Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
  5. Aspire News: The front-page functions as a regular news app. There's a "Help" section that includes a list of local domestic violence resources as well as a "Go Button" that alerts local authorities. Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
  6. Circle of 6: Two taps let your circle know where you are and how they can help. It’s the mobile way to look out for each other on campus or when you are out for the night. Provides direct access to national hotlines and a specialized hotline of your choice (ex. LGBTQ+, Spanish language, etc.) Available on the Apple App Store.

Content adapted from .