If you are at
home & you are being threatened or attacked: Stay away from the
kitchen (the abuser can find weapons, like knives,
there) Stay away from
bathrooms, closets or small spaces where the abuser can
trap you Get to a room with a
door or window to escape Get to a room with a
phone to call for help; lock the abuser outside if
you can Call 911 (or
your local emergency number) right away for help; get the
dispatcher's name Think about a neighbor or
friend you can run to for help If a police officer comes,
tell him/her what happened; get his/her name & badge number Get medical help if
you are hurt Take pictures of
bruises or injuries Call a domestic
violence program or shelter (some are listed here); ask
them to help you make a safety plan
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AT HOME
·
Learn where to get help; memorize emergency
phone numbers
·
Keep a phone in a
room you can lock from the inside; if you can, get a cellular phone that you
keep with you at all times
·
If the abuser has moved out, change the locks on
your door; get locks on the windows. Plan an escape route out of
your home; teach it to your children.
Think about where you would go if you need to
escape.
Ask your neighbors to call
the police if they see the abuser at your house; make a signal for them to call
the police, for example, if the phone rings twice, a shade is pulled down or a
light is on. Pack a bag with important things
you'd need if you had to leave quickly; put it in a safe place, or give it to a
friend or relative you trust.
Include cash, car keys & important
information such as: court papers, passport or birth certificates, medical
records & medicines, immigration papers.
Get an unlisted phone number
·
Block caller ID
·
Use an answering machine; screen
the calls
HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHILDREN SAFER
Teach them not to get
in the middle of a fight, even if they want to help Teach them how to get
to safety, to call 911, to give your address &
phone number to the police Teach them who to
call for help Tell them to stay out
of the kitchen Give the principal at
school or the daycare center a copy of your court order;
tell them not to release your children to anyone without talking to you
first; use a password so they can be sure it is you on the phone; give
them a photo of the abuser Make sure the
children know who to tell at school if they see the abuser Make sure that the
school knows not to give your address or phone number to
ANYONE
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF OUTSIDE THE HOME
Change your regular
travel habits Try to get rides with different
people Shop and bank in a
different place Cancel any bank
accounts or credit cards you shared; open new accounts
at a different bank Keep your court order
and emergency numbers with you at all times Keep a cell phone
& program it to 911 (or other emergency number)
HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF SAFER AT WORK
Keep a copy of your court
order at work Give a picture of the
abuser to security and friends at work Tell your supervisors -
see if they can make it harder for the abuser to find you Don't go to lunch alone Ask a security guard
to walk you to your car or to the bus If the abuser calls you at
work, save voice mail and save e-mail Your employer may be able to
help you find community resources
