Safety During A Violent Incident

• When an argument begins, try to move to a room or area that has access to an exit. Avoid the bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere there could be a potential weapon.
• Practice how to get out of your home. Identify which doors, windows, stairwells or elevators would be best.
• Devise a signal or code word to use with your family, friends and neighbors when you need the police.
• Identify a neighbor who you can tell about the violence. Ask that neighbor to call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home or a prearranged signal.
• Decide and plan where you will go if you have to leave home (even if you don’t think you will need to). This should be a safe place from which you can call for further assistance.
• Use your own instincts and judgement. You have a right to protect yourself until you are out of danger.
• Always remember – you don’t deserve to be hit or threatened!

Safety When Preparing To Leave

• Open a bank account in your own name to establish or increase your independence. • Have a packed bag ready and keep it in a secret place that is easy to reach.
• Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents and extra clothes with someone you trust.
• Determine who you could stay with when you leave. They should not be fearful of your significant other.
• Keep important phone numbers close at hand and keep some change for emergency phone calls. See the list on the back of this brochure for other items that you should be prepared to take when you leave.
• Practice how you would leave your home quickly if you had to. Remember – leaving your batterer can be very dangerous!

Safety In Your Own Home

• Change the locks on your doors as soon as possible. Buy additional locks and safety devices to secure your windows.
• Inform your neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you, and that they should call the police if they see him/her near your home.

If You Have Children

• With the adult caregiver and child, discuss the use of a code word and what the child should do when the word is used.
• Plan where to go when fighting starts (i.e., neighbor, relative, own room with door shut).
• Teach the child to call 911 if fighting starts.
• Inform your children’s schools, day care, etc., about who has permission to pick them up.