| Safety When Preparing to Leave |
|
Leaving must be done with a careful plan to increase safety. Batterers often strike back when they believe a victim is leaving a relationship. • Keep a charged cell phone with you at all times. • Try to remove weapons from the home safely. • Identify and practice escape routes. Practice how to get out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevator or stairwell, would be best. • Keep your purse and car keys in a place where you can leave quickly. • Pack a bag with clothing, toiletries and medications for you and your children and keep it in a safe place. • Make a list of safe people to contact. • Identify where you will go if you have to leave your home. If you cannot go to that location identify where else you can go. • Identify who would be able to let you stay with them or lend you money. • Identify someone you trust who you can leave money and extra clothes and with so you can leave quickly. • Identify where you can leave copies of your identification, important documents and an extra set of keys. • Memorize all important numbers (SSN, phone numbers, etc.) • Tell family, friends and neighbors about the abuse. Request that they call the police if they hear suspicious noises from your home. • Teach your children safety strategies and how to use the telephone to contact the police. • Consider changing your phone number or screen calls. (Get caller ID or let your machine pick up and listen before answering.) • Calls you make from your phone show up on your telephone bill. Identify where you can make confidential telephone calls. • Get a post office box or identify where you can have confidential mail sent. • Get a P.O. Box through the Safe-at-Home Program • Open a bank account or credit card in your name to start to establish or increase your independence. • Rehearse escape plans and, as appropriate, practice with your children. • Make plans for pets. • Read about domestic violence and learn about your legal rights. • Know the domestic violence program’s hotline number. • Join a support group or talk with a counselor. • Locate other Assistance Programs you may qualify for. • Remember – Leaving your batterer is the most dangerous time. Review your safety plan as often as possible in order to plan the safest way to leave your batterer. |