If you are at home and you are being threatened or attacked:

Stay away from the kitchen (the abuser can find weapons, like knives, there)

Stay away from bathrooms, closets/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 dispatchers 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 and badge number

Get medical attention if you are hurt

Take pictures of bruises or injuries

Call a domestic violence program of shelter; 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 (most crisis centers have a supply of 911 phones from which you can borrow)

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 the neighbors you trust to call the police if they see they 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 (see checklist at side)

Get an unlisted phone number

Block caller ID

Use an answering machine to screen calls

Have a full tank of gas

Take a good self defense course

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 and phone number to the police

Teach them whom to call for help

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 emergency numbers with you at all times

Keep change or pre-paid calling card with you at all times

Keep a cell phone and program it to 911 (or other emergency numbers)

HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF SAFER 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 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

Money, checkbook, passbook, ATM card, credit cards, EBT card

Identification - driver's license, Social Security cards, passports, Green Card, work permit, birth certificates, etc. (mine and children's)

Car registration and title

Clothing

Lease, rental agreement, or house deed

Insurance papers and cards

House and car keys

Medications, medical and immunization records

Divorce/custody papers

Restraining order

School records

Last year's tax returns

Toys, children's comfort items, sentimental items