Safety Planning

• Safety Planning

  Whether you are currently with an abusive partner or not, you may want to consider a safety plan.

  Safety While Living with an Abusive Partner

  When it is safe for you to do so, you might want to consider:
  • Try to get out or get help before any violence occurs.
  • When in danger, if possible, move to a room where you have access to an
  exit. Avoid the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, or any place where there
  could be weapons.
  • If there are weapons in the house, try to remove them or lock them up.
  • Practice how to get out of your house safely. Identify which doors,
  windows, elevators, or stairways to use.
  • Have a bag packed and keep it at a relative’s or friend’s home so you can
  leave quickly.
  • Set a routine of walking the dog, getting a paper, or taking out the
  garbage so that it is normal for you to leave for a short period of time.
  • Teach your children to call 911.
  • Create a code word with your child(ren), family, friends, and neighbors to
  alert them to call 911 especially if they hear a disturbance in your home.
  • Plan with children. Plan a safe place for them. Reassure them that their job
  is to stay safe and not to protect you.
  • Trust your own instincts and judgment. If the situation is very dangerous,
  consider giving the assailant what they want to calm down. You have the
  right to protect yourself until you are out of danger.
  • Make extra house and car keys and hide them for emergencies.
  • Document events in a journal and keep it in a safe place.

  Safety When Preparing to Leave

  • Open a savings account and/or credit card in your name to establish or
  increase your independence. Have bank statements sent to a safe
  address. Think of other ways you can increase your independence.
  • Get your own post office box. You can privately receive checks and letters
  to begin your independence.
  • Keep the shelter hotline number with you. Keep change or a calling card
  on you at all times for emergency phone calls.
  • If you don’t already have a cell phone for emergency 911 calls you can
  obtain one from S.A.F.E. Place (269.965.SAFE).
  • Determine who would be able to let you stay with them, lend you money,
  or someone you trust that would keep the following documents and items
  for you.

   
  Important documents and items to take with you when preparing to leave:

   Personal Protection Order
   Driver’s License or State ID Card
   Social Security Card
   Custody Papers, Divorce Decree, etc.
   Medical Insurance Cards and Medical Records
   Medications and Prescriptions
   DHS Identification/Bridge Card
   Birth Certificates
   Pictures of Your Injuries
   Checkbook
   Credit Card
   Lease, Rental Agreement or Mortgage Papers
   Car Registration/Insurance
   Health and Life Insurance Papers
   School Records
   House Keys and Car Keys
   Cell Phone/Phone Calling Card
   Clothes
   Emergency Shelter Numbers
   Any Other Papers you think you may need
  Internet & Computer Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence

  • There are hundreds of ways that computers record everything you do on
  the computer and on the Internet.
  • If you are in danger, please try to use a computer that someone abusive
  does not have direct access, or even remote (hacking) access to.
  • It might be safer to use a computer in a public library, at a community
  technology center (you can locate one at www.ctcnet.org), at a trusted
  friend’s house, or an Internet Café.
  • If you think your activities are being monitored, they probably are. Abusers
  are often controlling and want to know your every move. You don’t need
  to be a computer programmer or have special skills to monitor someone’s
  computer activities– anyone can do it and there are many ways to
  monitor.
  • Computers can provide a lot of information about what you look at on the
  Internet, the e-mails you send, and other activities. It is not possible to
  delete or clear all computer “footprints”.
  • If you think you may be monitored on your home computer, you might
  consider no home Internet use or “safer” Internet surfing. Example: If you
  are planning to flee to California, don’t look at classified ads for jobs and
  apartments, bus tickets, etc. for California on a home computer or any
  computer an abuser has physical or remote access to. Use a safer
  computer to research an escape plan.

  Some Options to Consider if an Assault has Occurred:

  Always consider your safety in accessing these options
  • If you have sustained physical injuries, you can call 911 and seek medical
  attention.
  • Save as much evidence as you can to document the abuse, including
  medical records, photographs of injuries and damage to property.
  • You can report domestic violence and stalking to the local law enforcement
  agency. If you do, ask for a copy of the police report and the name and
  badge number of the police officer that wrote the report.
  • You can participate with criminal prosecution—contact the Victim’s Unit at
  the Prosecuting Attorney’s office for more information (269.969.6944).
  • You can apply for a personal protection order.