Safety Plan

Safety Plan For Victims of Domestic Violence

No one deserves to be abused. If things get out of hand, it’s good to have a plan. If you are in an abusive relationship here are some ideas to help you become safe and to stay safe. Remember, you cannot stop your partner’s abuse, but you can find help and support for yourself. No one deserves to be abused.

Be Prepared to Get Away

Keep the following in a safe place:

  • Keys (house and car)
  • Important papers such as birth certificates, social security cards, marriage and drivers’ licenses, car title, lease of mortgage papers, passports, insurance information, school and health records, welfare and immigration documents, divorce or other court documents.
  • Credit cards, bank account numbers and ATM cards.
  • Medications for yourself & children (children’s immunization records, if you have them)
  • Spare set of clothes Important telephone numbers and addresses (friends, relatives, police, domestic violence shelter)
  • Clothing and comfort items for you and the children.

    Plan:

  • If you need to flee your home, know the escape routes in advance.
  • Call police if you are in danger or need help.
  • Plan with your children.
  • Identify a safe place for them; a room with a lock, neighbor’s house where they can go. Reassure them that their job is to stay safe, not protect you.
  • In case you can’t call the police, have a signal with the children or the neighbors so they can call for help when you need it.
  • Contact 24-hour confidential crisis line – for Merced – 209.722.4357

    When a fight breaks out

    • Move away from the kitchen, bathroom, or any place where there are dangerous objects
    • Plan the easiest escape. Decide on a door or window to exit quickly and safely
    • Find a neighbor, friend, or family member you can trust to help you and your children, or to call the police.
    • If you decide to leave your partner, plan for your safety.
    • Every situation is different and could be risky. Contact us for information on how to plan for your safety.
    • Leaving may be risky for you and your children.
    • Put some money away. Even if you only save a little bit every week, you need to have some money of your own.
    • Make copies of keys and important papers and leave them with a friend, neighbor or church.
    • Some important items to have: birth certificates, legal papers, a little money.

    Ways to stay safe on your own

    • Change the locks on your doors. Learn about your legal rights.
    • If you have legal papers to protect you, keep them with you at all times.
    • Tell neighbors, friends, landlords or coworkers that your partner no longer lives with you.
    • Keep a safety plan for coming and going, and share it with people you trust.
    • Teach children about the safety plan.
    • If your former partner is dangerous, find someone at work to tell. Show them a picture, and ask them to call 911 if your former partner comes around.
    • If you need any other ideas or a local referral, call us at 209.722.4357 

    Your Rights Include

    • You have the right to contact the police.
    • The officer must assist you in finding immediate medical attention, if you request it.
    • The officer can arrest the abuser when there is obvious injury.
    • If the abuser is not arrested, you can ask the officer to make a citizen’s arrest on your behalf.
    • Make sure an incident report is made.
    • You have the right to have an advocate accompany you while being questioned by police and/or at the hospital.
    • If your abuser is arrested, he/she may or may not be taken into custody. Even if he/she is taken into custody, he/she may be released in a few hours.