Personal Safety Plan!

Your safety is what is important and the best one to assure you can come out of this is you! Of course you need the knowledge and tools to help you and you will have to trust someone. Choose wisely who ever that is because literally your life is at stake!
Following are lists of safety plans for different stages and what you will need to do and need to know. You should also be aware that statistically, leaving an abusive relationship is the most dangerous time. That is not reason to stay because many women have died thinking things would change.

Important Phone Numbers to Carry With You!

Name and number of local domestic violence shelter.

Name and number of hospital.

Law Enforcement Domestic Violence Officer phone number.

District Attorney or Victim Assistance Representative.

Your abusers information, photo, vital statistics, place of employment, work number.

During an Explosive Incident!

If there is an argument, try to be in a place that has an exit. Avoid the bathroom, kitchen or any room that may contain weapons.

Trust your instincts and judgment, in a dangerous situation, appease the abuser if possible to keep him calm.

Practice getting out of your home safely, identify which doors, windows, elevator or stairwell to use.

Pack a bag and have it ready at a friend or relative's home.

Identify one or two neighbors whom you can tell about the violence, and ask them to call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.

Have a code word to use with your children, family, neighbors or employer when you need them to call the police.

Plan where you will go if you ever have to leave home. Contact your local shelter and establish a relationship with them, even if you do not have to go to a shelter there are many ways they can help you.

When You Are Preparing to Leave!

Open a checking or savings account in your own bank, a distance away from where you have an account with him.

Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, and extra clothing and medicine for yourself and children in a safe place or with someone you trust.

Get your own post office box.

Find a safe place where you and your children can go or a person who can lend you money.

Always keep a shelter phone number and some change or a calling card with you for emergency phone calls.

If you have pets, make arrangements for them to be cared for in a safe place.

Remember that leaving is a time for extreme caution!

Documents You Need in a Safe Place!

Drivers License

Birth Certificate for each family member (you and children)

Social Security Cards

Money and or check cards that are in your name

Checking and or saving account books

Protective Order

Lease, rental agreement, house deed

Car registration and insurance papers

Health and Life Insurance papers

Medical Records for you and your children

School records

Work permits, green card

Passport/Visa

Divorce and custody papers

Marriage license

Medications

House and car keys

Valuable jewelry

Address Book

Remove Photo albums and pictures of you and your children from your home if there is any change your abuser would try to get help to hurt you. Also make sure you have pictures of him.

Change of clothes for you and children

Sentimental items

Get A Protective Order

If you or your children have been threatened or assaulted, you can request a Protective Order from your local law enforcement.

Always keep your protective order with you.

Call the police if your abuser violates the Protective Order.

Inform family members, friends, schools, neighbors and employer that you have Protective Order in effect.

Let someone know where you are at all times that you trust and will agree to keep track of your whereabouts, for safety reasons.

Remember that a Protective Order will not save you, it is a legal document that will alert police to your abuser if anything happens to you. He will be the first suspect and the police will respond to a call for help with foreknowledge of the situation. Thus being most prepared and able to help you more effectively.

Feeling Safe In Your Own Home!

If you stay in your home, lock your windows and change the locks on your doors.

Develop a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.

Inform your child's school, daycare, etc. about who has permission to pick up your child (and if you have custody, show the school the papers!)

Inform your neighbors and the landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see him near your home.

Never call the abuser from your home, he may find out where you live. Never tell the abuser where you live!

Request an unlisted/unpublished phone number from the telephone company.

The local shelter may be able to provide you with a cell phone that can only make 911 (411) emergency calls.

Feeling Safe on the Job and in Public Areas!

Decide whom at work you will inform about your situation. Tell the building security officers, and if possible, provide them with a picture of your abuser.

When at work (if possible) have someone screen your phone calls.

Have someone escort you to and from your car, bus or train.

Find every possible route to and from work and change your route often.

If you change jobs do not apply for jobs that have public access if possible.

Do not be on a schedule for everything, (for example; laundry on Friday night, bingo on Wednesday. Do not leave opportunity for a setup.

Going to a Domestic Violence Shelter

The hardest decision to make!

Going to a domestic violence shelter was the hardest decision I've ever made. But I believe it was the best one also. It was my first step going from victim to survivor! And it was hard, but it was worth it!

Credits

Thanks for the template used here to help build ths site and make it presentable!

All credit for the layout, graphics and art of this design goes to: Nonvideri Designs.