{"id":166,"date":"2026-05-13T15:49:49","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T19:49:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/?page_id=166"},"modified":"2026-07-07T16:37:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T20:37:19","slug":"personal-safety-planning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/officeofcivilrights.cornell.edu\/education-and-training\/welcome\/personal-safety-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Personal Safety Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is a Personal Safety Plan?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A safety plan is a personalized, practical, interactive plan to improve your safety when experiencing digital harassment, stalking and\/or abuse, preparing to leave an abusive situation, or after you leave. Much of the associated planning and tools can also serve as valuable prevention measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tailored to your individual circumstances, a personal safety plan will help you prepare for and respond to difficult scenarios and increase your safety at school, home, online, and other places you regularly visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some of the steps in preparing a safety plan might seem obvious, it can be difficult to make clear, logical decisions in moments of crisis. Having a safety plan laid out in advance can help you protect yourself and others in high-stress situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for safety planning, but there are multiple, free, campus, community, and online resources that can help you create a safety plan that is right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Sources: National Domestic Violence Hotline: Stalking Safety Planning<\/a> and Loveisrespect.org: What is a safety plan?<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Started: General Tips for Victims<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most service providers agree on the following general tips for victims:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Trust your instincts. <\/strong>Victims of stalking or abuse often feel pressured by friends or family to downplay the stalker or abuser\u2019s behavior, but these behaviors pose a real threat of harm. Your safety is paramount.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Call the police.<\/strong> If you feel you are in any immediate danger or fear a threat of harm, please call 911 immediately! Explain why the stalker or abuser\u2019s actions are causing you fear and concern.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Document incidents, behaviors, and interactions. <\/strong>Keep a record or log of your contact with the stalker or abuser. Also, document any reports made to the police or interactions with resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Save evidence when possible.<\/strong> Stalkers and abusers often use technology to contact their victims. Save all emails, text messages, photos, and postings on social networking sites as evidence of their behavior. You can also take steps to use your own technology and devices more safely (see the \u201cTechnology and Digital Safety Planning\u201d section below).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Connect with campus and community service providers. <\/strong>Get connected with a campus or community victim service provider who can assist you in developing a personal safety plan and connect you with a network of resources.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    (Source: SPARC: What to Do if You are Being Stalked<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Campus and Community Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Cornell University Police<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The Cornell University Police Department (CUPD)<\/strong><\/a> offers a variety of personal safety resources for students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n