Circle the bullets that best identify current safety practice.

Home:

• I lock all doors and I close all windows when leaving or sleeping
• I have a cordless phone or cell phone
• I have a flashlight
• I have a well lit lobby or door to home
• I take the elevator instead of stairs
• I don’t open the door to strangers
• I only tell trusted friends, or family when I’m not at home

Phone:

• I have a recorded message that does not include: names of people in household, phone number or address
• I don’t give my name, phone number, or address to strangers on the phone
• I have caller ID
• I hang up if a caller is rude or I feel uncomfortable.

Banking:

• I have my PIN number memorized
• I do my banking on my own without strangers or new friends watching
• I ask only banking employees if I need help
• I don’t share my PIN, debit cards, credit cards with anyone

Internet:

• I don’t think that the internet is a safe place to meet people
• I don’t tell anyone on the internet my real name, address, phone numbers, email addresses, passwords, or credit card numbers
• I tell someone I trust when someone online asks for personal information
• I do not talk to anyone online that is bothering me. I block them from contacting me.
• I do not meet anyone I talk to online for friendship or sex when I am by myself
• I only meet people I talk to online in public

Street:

• I travel mostly in daylight hours
• I travel in well lit areas after dark
• I travel with company after dark
• I only carry small sums of money when travelling
• I travel in places where there are lots of other people
• I do not walk close to a car or van to talk to a stranger even if they ask me a question
• If I feel scared I go to a safe place for help
• I know people in my area that I can go to for help
• I have friends or family that live in same neighbourhood
• I keep looking around when I am out alone and I know who or what is around me
• I go where there are other people and ask for help if someone is following me
• I carry a cell phone when I go out

Health:

• I feel comfortable with doctors or healthcare professionals
• I speak up if I am not comfortable with any medical practice or procedure
• I have a friend, or support person who will come with me on Doctor’s visits
• I have a good family doctor that I trust

Sex:

• I have sex only with people I know and want to have sex with
• I use condoms or birth control to protect myself from disease or unwanted pregnancy
• I talk to my doctor, and other women I know about condoms and birth control methods
• I choose to use a birth control method that works for me and I always use it
• I feel comfortable talking to my partner about sex
• I have a partner who listens to my needs when it comes to sex

Relationships:

• I have not been pushed, hit, kicked, punched, bitten, burned, injured by use of weapon, or objects thrown, by partner, family members, caretakers, or friends
• I have not been unwillingly touched, forced to have unprotected/protected sex, exposed to, or forced to participate in pornography or prostitution
• I have not been threatened, put down, embarrassed or humiliated by unwelcome comments or behaviour from my partner, family members, caretakers, worker, or friends
• I pay my own bills, do my own banking, and decide what I want to do with my money
• I have not had money or property stolen by friends, family, or partner
• I am able to practice my own spiritual beliefs
• I have a plan to stay safe if I choose to stay with someone who hurts me
• I have a plan to stay safe if I choose to get away from someone who hurts me
• I have supportive friends and family
• I have someone that I trust and I can go to for help if anyone is hurting me

*Un-circled bullets identify areas of safety risk

Download a printable checklist PDF

Created with the support of the City of Toronto