What to pack if you need to leave an abusive relationship quickly
Sept 20, 2026
Having a few essentials packed and ready can make a difficult situation a little easier to manage. This guide covers what you might want to pack in an emergency bag if you need to leave an abusive relationship quickly, and how to keep it somewhere safe.
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What is an emergency bag?
If you’re experiencing relationship abuse at home and you need to leave quickly, you may not have time to gather everything you need. An emergency bag keeps essential items like clothes, medication, money and important documents together and ready to go.
When to pack an emergency bag
Packing an emergency bag is an important part of leaving safely. Even if you haven’t made the decision to leave, having an emergency bag ready to go can help you feel more prepared.
If you’re worried your abuser might find your emergency bag, keep it somewhere they’re unlikely to look and where you can access it quickly. You could leave it with a trusted neighbour, friend or relative, keep it in a work locker or store it somewhere safe in your car.
If you can’t keep the essentials together in one place, make sure you know where they are and how you’ll access them if you need to leave quickly. If it’s safe to do so, you could also practise gathering them so you know what to take.
What to pack in an emergency bag
Everyone’s emergency bag will look a little different, and you may not be able to take everything on this list. Take what you can, when it’s safe to do so.
Important documents and information
ID, such as your passport, driver licence and birth certificate
Medicare card and medical records
Bank account details and bank statements
Lease or rental agreement, or mortgage papers
Centrelink information and tax file number
Money and access
Cash, debit and credit cards
Spare keys to your house and car
Health and personal items
Medication, glasses, contact lenses and prescriptions
Toiletries such as soap, toothbrushes, combs and period products
A few changes of clothes
Bottled water
Personal items that are important to you, such as jewellery
Phone and useful information
A phone and charger, ideally a separate phone with a prepaid plan if it’s safe for you to have one
A recent photo of the abusive person
Evidence of abuse, if you already have it and can safely take it
A diary or record of events
Photos of injuries
Copies of messages
Keep important phone numbers somewhere you can access them quickly, such as in your phone or wallet. These might include:
Trusted friends or family
Crisis accommodation services
Local taxi services
Your local police station
This list can also form part of a longer moving-out checklist if you’re planning to leave in advance.
Packing for children
If you’re leaving with children, pack their essential items too, where it’s safe to do so. These might include:
Birth certificate
Passport
Medications and prescriptions
Medicare card
A change of clothes
School or childcare information
A comfort item, such as a favourite toy or blanket
Packing for pets
If you’re worried about your pet’s safety, you may be able to take them with you or arrange for them to stay with family, friends or a temporary care service.
If you’re leaving with your pet, consider packing:
Collar and lead
Medication
Veterinary and registration records
Your contact details and an emergency contact
Any special food they need
A familiar blanket or toy
Treats or other comfort items
What’s an escabag?
If you haven’t been able to prepare an emergency bag yourself, an Escabag can provide some of the essentials you may need. Escabags are pre-packed immediate needs support packages for adults and children leaving an abusive relationship.
Escabags can be collected at locations throughout Queensland. Visit escabags.org to find a stockist near you.
Domestic violence support to help you pack
You don’t have to work all of this out on your own. A trusted friend or family member, or a domestic violence support service, may be able to help you prepare an emergency bag and make a safety plan.
Explore the The Handy Guide service directory to find support services across Queensland.
You can also read our guide to creating a safety plan for leaving an abusive relationship.
