According to the American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Family Violence, "The greatest risk for serious injury or death from violence is at the point of separation or at the time when the decision to separate is made." (APA Presidential Task Force on Family Violence, 1996, p. 39). As a result of the grave safety issues facing survivors, safety planning is one of the most important intervention strategies.

For the purposes of this discussion conference topic please complete the following:

1. Read the article by attorney Jill Davies, Safety Planning (under Week 7 Content). Pay careful attention to the "Battered Women's Risk Analysis Chart" located at the end of the article. I've also posted a link for the article below.

2. Next, review the Safety Plan distributed by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The link for this plan is at the end of this post.

3. Please respond to the following questions:

a) In talking with a friend s/he says to you, "I don't get it. A battered woman could leave if she wants to. Why does she stay and put up with that?" How would you respond?

b) What might be difficult about trying to safety plan with a survivor in crisis?

c) How might it be different to safety plan with a survivor who has children versus a survivor who does not?

d) Locate a safety plan for either children or teenagers and attach this safety plan to your post.

4. Support your response with in-text citations and references.