Safety Planning

Studies show that domestic violence homicides increase by 75% when a woman tries to leave or end an abusive relationship. Unfortunately, domestic violence homicides often happen after a woman leaves her abuser, so leaving doesn't always mean safety. We are not sharing this information to cause fear. We care about you and want you to be aware of the risks involved and understand the importance of planning for safety. If you or someone you know is planning on leaving an abusive relationship or taking any legal or financial steps to separate, safety planning is critical to you and your families health and well-being.

• If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or arrange a signal with a neighbor or a friend to call 911.
• Call a local domestic violence program or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for help, advice and support. Try to memorize this number.
• Leave some money, spare keys and a small bag of clothes for you and your children at work or at a friend's house. If you have small children, include a favorite toy or doll that will comfort them.
• Put together important documents or copies of documents such as passports, birth certificates, social security cards, insurance papers, work permits or green cards, ownership documents for car and/or house, checkbooks and bank accounts for yourself and your children. Hide these papers at work or at a friend's house. Know the abuser's social security number, birth date and place of birth.
• Document the abuse by having a neighbor or friend take photos of bruises and injuries, tell your doctor and get copies of your medical records. Save any threatening voice mails or emails and write each incident down in a journal. All of this will be helpful should you decide to take legal action in the future.
• Obtain an order of protection. An order of protection prohibits the abuse from contacting, attacking, sexually assaulting or telephoning you, your children and other family members. Call a local domestic violence program or the National Domestic Violence Hotline for legal assistance. Carry a copy of the order of protection with you at ALL times.
• Inform your employer about your situation so they can set up a safety plan at work. Share a photo description of the abuser with them and any pertinent legal documentation, such as an order of protection.