STAYING SAFE
Awareness, boundaries, and personal safety
Starting with awareness
Staying safe starts with being aware. By tuning in to yourself, those around you, and your surroundings, you can spot when something feels off and respond confidently.
Awareness is about noticing changes and trusting your instincts. When you give yourself space to listen and act, it becomes easier to make choices that support your wellbeing.
Below, you'll find ideas for everyday life where awareness can help you feel more secure, whether you're out in public, at home, online, or reaching out for support.
Staying safe out and about
When you’re out and about, awareness can make a real difference. Being able to hear what is happening around you, trusting your instincts when something feels off, and keeping your phone charged can all help you feel more in control.
Some simple ways to think about this include:
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choosing well-lit, busier routes where possible
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keeping an eye on your drink and thinking twice if you did not see it poured
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letting someone you trust know your plans, even if it is just a quick “home safe” text
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sharing your live location with a trusted friend or family member if that feels right for you
Helpful resources for staying safe out and about
Feeling safe where you live
Home should be a place of rest and safety, but that is not always the reality. Abuse and control often happen behind closed doors, and risk can increase during periods of separation, change, or stress. Staying safe at home is about recognising what does not feel right, reducing risk where you can, and knowing that support exists.
Some practical ways to think about this include:
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keeping important items together and accessible, such as identification, medication, keys, and essential documents
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letting a trusted neighbour, friend, or family member know if you are concerned, and agreeing a simple check-in or code word
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paying attention to changes in behaviour or atmosphere, especially when something starts to feel unsafe
Helpful resources for feeling safe where you live
Protecting your digital space
Phones, apps, and online accounts can be useful for connection and support, but they can also be used to monitor, control, or intimidate. Digital safety is about protecting your privacy, understanding risks, and staying aware of who can access your information.
Some practical ways to think about this include:
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checking privacy settings on social media and apps, and limiting what is shared publicly or with people you do not fully trust
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being cautious with location sharing, shared devices, and passwords, and using extra security such as two-step verification where possible
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using a safer device when looking for information if you are concerned about being monitored, and clearing browsing history if needed
Helpful resources for protecting your digital space
Safe Spaces
Some organisations across the UK offer Safe Spaces for people experiencing domestic abuse. These can include pharmacies, banks, libraries, community centres, and local businesses that have signed up to recognised safety schemes. They provide a private place where someone can pause, contact a trusted person, or reach out to specialist support.
Safe Spaces are designed to be discreet and easy to use. For some people, that may mean making a phone call. For others, it may simply mean having a quiet place to stop and decide what to do next.
Find your nearest Safe Space
Working with pharmacies, banks across the UK to provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse.
Digital map of Safe Spaces
WalkSafe+ App: includes a map of nearby Safe Spaces and venues linked to Ask for Angela and women’s safety schemes.