SAFETY PLAN FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The following steps represent a plan for increasing your's and your children's safety by preparing in advance for the possibility of further violence.
Safety during a violent incident

Plan how to get out safely- window, doors, elevators, ect. try to go to a room or area that has acess to an exit
Keep your purse and car keys ready. (Keep a hidden car key).
Teach and encourage your children to go to a neighbor's house to call the police during an attack. Practice how to get out of your home safley. Visualize your escape route.Identify the best doors, wondows, elevators, or stairwell.
Teach your children a code word that means to get help. Devise a code word to use with your children, grandchildren and others to communicate that you need the police.
When you expect you are going to have an argument, try to move to a space that is of lowest risk. AVOID: the bathroom, garage, kitchen, bedroom, rooms where there might be weapons, and rooms without access to an outside door. Again.... try to go to a room or area that has acess to an exit. If you can try to stay in a room with a phone
Ask a neighbor to call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home. Many times neighbors are unsure and just don't want to get involved.
Decide and plan for where you willgo if you have to leave home. EVEN if you don't think you will need to.
Use your instinct and judgment. If the situation is very dangerous, consider any action that might calm thngs down, to give you enough time to assess what to do next.

Safety when preparing to leave

You can seek shelter by calling the YWCA- 24 HR. HOTLINE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
Open a savings account in your name and deposit what you can, for cases of emergencies.
Keep telephone change with you at all times. If you use your telephone credit card, be aware the following month the phone bill will tell the batter where you have called from after leaving.
Leave with extra clothes and documents for you and your children with someone else. (see list below)

Items to take when leaving

Bank accounts
Insurance polcies
Check book
Marriage license
Drivers license
Credit cards
Medications
Social security numbers for every one
ATM cards
Birth certificates
Personal telephone book
School & vaccination records
Always keep some money hidden and have extra keys for the house and car.
Review your safty plans as often as possible.
Safty in your own home if your abuser does not live with you

Change the locks on your doors as soon as possiable. Buy additional locks and safty devises to secure your windows. Consider installing or increasing your outside lighting.
If you have young children, grandchildren, or other dependents living with you, discuss a safty plan for when you are not with them and inform their school, day care, etc. about who has permission to pick them up.
Inform neighbors and/or landlord that your abuser no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see your abuser near your home.
Safty with an order of protection
Keep your protection order with you at all times and try to memorize your case numberIt is easier for law enforcement to locate rather than by your last names. If it is lost or destroyed, you can get another copy from the District Clerk of Courts office.
Call the police if your abuser violates the conditions of the order.
Think of alternative ways to keep safe incase the police are not able to respond right away.
Inform family,friends,teachers, and neighbors that you have a protective order in effect. Provide a certified copy to caretakers of children who are also protected.

Safty in Public
Decide who you will inform of your situation. This could include your school, office or building security of your church. Provide a picture of your abuser if possible.
Arrange to have someone screen your calls.
Have someone escort you to your car, bus, or taxi
Park your car in lighted, visible area
If possible, use a variety of routes to go home. Think about what you would do if something happened while going home.
Your safty and emotional health
If you are thinking of returning to a potentially abusive situation, discuss analternative plan with someone you trust.
If you have to communicate with your abuser, arrange to do so in the way that makes you feel safest, whether by a phone, mail, in the company of another peron, etc.
Decide who you can all to talk to freely and openly, and who can give you the support you need. Consider calling a domestic violence program. All calls are confidential and you don't have to give your name.
Plan to attend a women's or victims' support group for at least two weeks to gain support from others and learn more about yourself and your realationship.

SAFETY PLAN FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

GETTING TO A SAFE PLACE