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:
Plan:
- 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.
- 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
- 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 an 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.