I. SAFETY DURING AN EXPLOSIVE INCIDENT:

a. If an argument seems unavoidable, try to have it in a room or area where you have access to an exit. Try to stay away from the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom or anywhere else where weapons might be available.

b. Practice how to get out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevator, or stairwell would be best.

c. Have a packed bag ready and keep it at a relative�s or friend�s home in order to leave quickly.

d. Identify one or more neighbors you can tell about the violence and ask that they call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.

e. Devise a code word to use with your children, family, friends, and neighbors when you need the police.

f. Decide and plan for where you will go if you have to leave home (even if you don�t think you will need to).

g. Use your own instincts and judgment. If the situation is very dangerous, consider giving the abuser what he wants to clam him down. You have the right to protect yourself until you are out of danger.

II. SAFETY WHEN PREPARING TO LEAVE:

a. Open a savings account and/or a credit card in your own name to start to establish or increase your independence. Think of other ways in which you can increase your independence.

b. Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, extra medicines and clothes with someone you trust so you can leave quickly.

c. Determine who would be able to let you stay with them or lend you some money.

d. Keep the shelter or hotline phone number close at hand and keep some change or a calling card on you at all times for emergency phone calls.

e. Review your safety plan as often as possible in order to plan the safest way to leave your batterer. REMEMBER- LEAVING YOUR BATERER IS THE MOST DANGEROUS TIME.

III. SAFETY IN YOUR OWN HOME:

a. Change the locks on your doors as soon as possible. Buy additional locks and safety devices to secure your windows.

b. Discuss a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.

c. Inform your children�s school, day care, etc., about who has permission to pick up your children.

d. Inform neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see him near your home.

IV. SAFETY WITH A PROTECTIVE ORDER:

a. Keep your protective order on you at all times. (When you change your purse, that should be the first thing that goes in it.) Give a copy to a trusted neighbor or family member.

b. Call the police if your partner breaks the protective order.

c. Think of alternative ways to keep safe if the police do not respond right away.

d. Inform family, friends, neighbors and your physician or health care provider that you have a protective order in effect.

V. SAFETY ON THE JOB AND IN PUBLIC:

a. Decide who at work you will inform of your situation. This should include office or building security. Provide a picture of your batterer if possible.

b. Arrange to have an answering machine, caller ID, or a trusted friend or relative screen your telephone calls if possible.

c. Devise a safety plan for when you leave work. Have someone escort you to your car, bus, or train and wait with you until you are safely en route. Use a variety of routes to go home by if possible. Think about what you would do if something happened while going home (i.e., in your car, on the bus, etc.).

VI. YOUR SAFETY AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH:

a. If you are thinking of returning to a potentially abusive situation, discuss an alternative plan with someone you trust.

b. If you have to communicate with your partner, determine the safest way to do so.

c. Have positive thoughts about yourself and be assertive with others about your needs. Read books, articles, and poems to help you feel stronger.

d. Decide who you can call to talk freely and openly to give you the support you need.

e. Plan to attend a women�s or victim�s support group for a least 2 weeks to gain support from others and learn more about yourself and the relationship.

DENTIFICATION:

____ Driver�s license

____ Children�s birth certificates

____ Your birth certificate

____ Social security cards

____ Welfare identification

FINANCIAL

____ Money and/or credit cards

____ Bank books

____ Checkbooks

LEGAL PAPERS:

____ Your protective order

____ Lease, rental agreement, home deed

____ Car registration and insurance papers

____ Health and Life Insurance papers

____ Medical records for you and children

____ Work permits/Green card/VISA

____ Passport

____ Divorce papers

____ Custody papers

OTHER

____ House and care keys

____ Medications

____ Small saleable objects

____ Jewelry

____ Address book

____ Phone card

____ Pictures of you, children and your abuser

____ Children�s small toys

____ Toiletries/diapers

____ Change of clothes for you and the children