When seconds count, preparation saves lives. Ashley Boswell walks through exactly what belongs in an emergency go-bag — and how to keep it safe and accessible.
A safety plan is only as strong as its preparation. I am Ashley Boswell, and one of the most practical, potentially life-saving tools we build with women at Unleash Her Potential is the emergency go-bag. When a crisis escalates and you have moments — not minutes — to leave, having a bag ready can be the difference between safety and danger. This is not paranoia. This is wisdom in action.
Why a Go-Bag Matters
In a moment of acute danger, the brain's prefrontal cortex — the part responsible for planning and decision-making — goes offline. You will not be thinking clearly about what to grab. Ashley Boswell teaches that preparation done in calm is what carries you through chaos. A packed bag removes the need to think when you most need to act.
What to Include
Ashley Boswell recommends assembling your go-bag with these essentials:
- •Identification: Driver's license, passport, Social Security card, and birth certificates for you and your children.
- •Legal Documents: Protective orders, custody papers, lease or mortgage documents, and insurance cards.
- •Financial Essentials: A small amount of cash, a prepaid debit card, and copies of bank account numbers.
- •Medical Needs: A few days of prescription medications, glasses or contacts, and a list of doctors.
- •Communication: A backup prepaid phone and charger, plus a written list of emergency contacts.
- •Comfort and Practical Items: A change of clothes, toiletries, a small flashlight, and a comfort item for children.
- •Evidence: Copies (not originals, if possible) of any documentation of abuse — photos, texts, journals.
Where to Keep It
A go-bag is only useful if you can reach it. Ashley Boswell suggests these options, depending on your situation:
- •With a trusted person: A friend, family member, or our team at Unleash Her Potential can hold a bag for you.
- •At your workplace: If safe, keep a small version at your office.
- •In your car: Hidden in the trunk, if your abuser does not have access to the vehicle.
- •In a hidden spot at home: Only if you are certain it will not be discovered.
Involve Your Children Safely
If you have children, Ashley Boswell encourages age-appropriate planning without frightening them. Teach them a code word that means "leave now and go to the car," and practice the route to safety. Children who know the plan feel empowered rather than helpless.
You Deserve to Be Ready
Building a go-bag can feel heavy — it forces you to confront the reality of danger. But Ashley Boswell has heard the same thing from every woman who completed one: a profound sense of relief. Preparation replaces panic with agency. At Unleash Her Potential, we will sit with you and build your bag together, item by item, because your safety is sacred and your life is worth protecting.