Domestic Violence

Safety Plans

• If an argument seems unavoidable, try to position yourself where you can easily get away.
• Try to stay away from the bathroom, the kitchen or anywhere else weapons might be available.
• Practice how to get out of your hone safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevator, or stairwell would be best.
• In order to leave quickly, have a packed bag ready and keep it at a relative or friend's home.
• Identify one or more neighbors you can tell about the violence and ask that they call the police if they hear a disturbance.
• Devise a code word to use with your children, family, friends and neighbors.
• Decide and plan for where you will go if you have to leave home, even if you don't think you will need to.
• Use your own instincts and judgement. If the situation is very dangerous, try to calm the abuser. This may give you the opportunity to get away.

• Change the locks on doors as soon as possible. Buy additional locks and safety devices to secure your windows.
• Discuss a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.
• Inform your children's school, day care, etc., about who has permission to pick up your children.
• Inform neighbors and your landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see him near your home.

• Open a savings account and/or credit card in your own name. This will increase your financial independence. Think of other ways to increase your independence.
• Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, extra medicines and clothes with someone you trust so you can leave quickly.
• Determine who would be able to let you stay with them or lend you some money.
• Keep the shelter or hotline phone number close at hand and keep some change or a calling card on you at all times for emergency phone calls.
• Review your safety plan as often as possible in order to plan the safest way to leave your abuser.

• Keep your protective order on you at all times. (When you change your purse, make sure it is the first thing that goes in it.) Give a copy to a trusted friend or neighbor.
• Call the police if your partner breaks the protective order.
• Think of alternative ways to keep safe if the police do not respond right away.
• Inform family, friends, neighbors and your physician or health care provider that you have a protective order in effect.
• With a protective order your peer advocate can help secure a personal safety alarm for you provided by ADT as well as the use of a cellular phone for emergencies.

• Decide who at work you will inform of your situation. This should include office or building security. Provide a picture of your abuser if possible.
• Arrange to have an answering machine, Caller ID, trusted friend or relative screen your phone calls if possible.
• Devise a safety plan for when you leave your workplace. Have someone escort you to your car or other mode of transportation and wait until you are safely in route. Use a variety of routes to go home by if possible. Think about what you would do if something happened while going home (i.e., on the bus, in your car, etc.)

• If you are thinking of returning to a potentially abusive situation, discuss an alternative plan with someone you trust.
• If you have to communicate with your partner, determine the safest way to do so.
• Have positive thoughts about yourself and be assertive with others about your needs. You may choose to read books, articles and poems that help you feel stronger.
• Decide who you can call to talk with freely as part of building a support system.
• Plan to attend a women's or victim's support group for at least two weeks to gain support from others and learn more about yourself.

• Driver's License
• Children's Birth Certificates
• Your Birth Certificate
• Children's Social Security Cards
• Your Social Security Card
• AFDC/Food Stamp Paperwork

• Money and/or Credit Cards
• Bank Books
• Checkbooks

• Order of Protection
• Lease, Rental Agreement or House Deed
• Car registration and Insurance Papers
• Medical Records for Yourself and Children
• School Records
• Work Permits/Green Card/Visa
• Passport
• Divorce Paperwork
• Custody Paperwork

• House and Car Keys
• Medications
• Small Saleable Objects
• Jewelry
• Address Book
• Phone Card
• Pictures of You, Children and Your Abuser
• Children's Small Toys
• Toiletries/Diapers
• Change of Clothes for You and Children