Safety planning
Definition
A collaborative process in which the nurse and patient identify practical steps to reduce immediate danger: documents to keep accessible, people to contact, where to go, what resources exist, and how to exit quickly if danger escalates.
- Primary context
- Intimate-partner violence and medical-forensic examinations (SANE)
- Type of intervention
- Healthcare process, not law enforcement
- Focus
- Reducing immediate danger through practical, actionable steps
Common questions
What is safety planning in a forensic medical context?+
Safety planning is a structured discussion between a healthcare provider and patient about ongoing safety risks, available resources, and practical steps the patient can take to reduce immediate danger. In forensic nursing (SANE) exams, it is a healthcare intervention, not a law enforcement action.
What does a safety plan typically include?+
A safety plan identifies practical steps to reduce danger: important documents to keep accessible, people to contact in emergencies, safe places to go, available community resources, and how to exit quickly if danger escalates.
Who creates the safety plan?+
The nurse and patient work together collaboratively to identify practical steps that are realistic and safe for the patient's own situation.
Related terms
- Anogenital findings
- Clinical observations of the anal and genital area recorded during the examination. They may include injury (lacerations, bruising, abrasions), normal anatomical variation,...
- Coercive control
- A pattern of behaviour in intimate relationships that seeks to deny autonomy and dominate the victim through means including isolation, monitoring, financial...
- Colposcopy
- Magnified examination and photographic documentation of the anogenital area using a colposcope. In the SANE context it is primarily a documentation tool,...
- Danger Assessment (DA)
- A 20-item validated instrument developed by Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell for estimating the risk of intimate-partner homicide or near-lethal assault. Combines a weighted...
- Hymenal nomenclature
- The standardised anatomical language for describing hymenal configuration, location of findings, and the clock-face reference system (e.g., 6 o'clock, 3 o'clock) used...
- Intimate-partner violence (IPV)
- Physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. Encompasses physical assault, sexual coercion, emotional abuse, and coercive...
- PWDV Act 2005
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 (India). Provides civil remedies -- protection orders, residence orders, monetary relief -- for women...
- Tanner staging
- A scale assessing pubertal development based on secondary sexual characteristics. SANEs record Tanner stage because it affects the interpretation of anogenital anatomy...
- Trauma-informed care
- A framework recognising that trauma physically changes how people process experience and communicate, so clinical interactions should maximise the patient's sense of...
- Universal screening
- Asking all patients in a clinical setting about IPV exposure, regardless of presenting complaint or risk appearance. Contrasted with targeted screening, which...
Explained in these topics
- Intimate-Partner Violence and the Danger AssessmentA collaborative process in which the nurse and patient identify practical steps to reduce immediate danger: documents to keep accessible, people to contact, wh...
- The Medical-Forensic Examination: Structure and Patient CommunicationA structured discussion with the patient about ongoing safety risks, available resources, and steps the patient can take. In the SANE examination context it is...