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Safety
Plan
A
safety plan is intended to aid victims of domestic violence in
securing their physical safety and personal well-being.
The plan is not a substitute for law enforcement and
professional help. If
you fear you life is in eminent danger, call 911 immediately.
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If
You Choose to Stay… |
- Find
a safe place to go during arguments.
Avoid rooms with no exits or rooms with
weapons (kitchen).
- Teach
your children where to go to be safe and how to
call for help.
- Think
about and make a list of safe people to contact.
- Keep
change with you at all times.
- Memorize
all important numbers
- Establish
a “code word” or “sign” so that family,
friends, teachers or co-workers know when to call
for help.
- Document
all violent incidences in a journal.
Include date, place, time, witnesses, and
contact with police.
Hide the journal.
- Back
your car into the parking spot so you can leave
quickly if necessary.
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Remember,
you have the right to
live without fear and violence!
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If
You Choose to Leave…
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- Gather
medication & all important documents: social
security cards, birth certificates, ID cards, bank
statements, any bills in your name, diplomas,
transcripts, marriage license, W-2’s etc. (Starting over is easier if you have all your documents,
but all documents are replaceable.
Consider your safety first when preparing
to leave.)
- Do
not tell your children your plans until it is time
to leave. Reassure
them that they will be safe and protected.
- Contact
a domestic violence shelter if you need a place to
stay or you fear for your safety.
- Backtrack
your steps where you reached out for help.
Delete caller ID and “cookies” from
internet searches.
- Once
you leave, avoid staying completely alone.
- Don’t
tell friends and family your new location until
your safety is secure.
Abusers often manipulate the people you
trust to gain information about how to find you.
- Seek
a Protective Order.
No criminal charges are necessary to obtain
a temporary PO.
Temporary PO’s can be made permanent upon
a hearing approximately 10 days after the initial
order.
- Notify
your employer, friends, and family that you have
left the abusive relationship and that you want no
contact with the abuser.
- Change
to an unlisted number and keep it confidential.
- Open
a P.O. Box to receive mail so that your actual
address is not revealed.
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