SAFETY PLANNING

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PERSONAL SAFETY PLAN

 

Taking precautions and making plans to stay safe.

 You have a right to be safe!!!

No one deserves to be hit or threatened. If you are being hurt by someone you love, make plans and take precautions to keep yourself and your children safe. Here are some suggestions that have helped other people in situations like yours.

Safety during an explosive incident

A.  If there is an argument, try to be in a place that has an exit and not in a bathroom, kitchen, or room that may contain weapons.

B.  Practice getting out of  your home safely.  Identify which doors, windows, elevator, or stairwell to use.

 C.   Pack a bag, and have it ready at a friend’s or relative’s house. 

D.   Identify one or more neighbors you can tell about the violence, and ask them to 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 where you’ll go if you ever have to leave home. 

G.  Use your instincts and judgement.   In some dangerous situations, give the abuser what he wants to calm him down.          

 Remember, you don’t deserve to be hit or threatened!!!

Safety when preparing to leave

A.      Open a checking or saving account in your own name.

B.      Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents and extra clothes and medicines in a safe place or with someone you trust.

C.      Get your own post office box.

D.      Identify a safe place where you can go and someone who can lend you money.

E.       Always keep the shelter phone number, a calling card, or some change for emergency phone calls with you.

F.       If you have pets, make arrangements for them to be cared for in a safe place.

 Remember, leaving your batterer is the most dangerous time!!!!

Safety with a protective order

 

A.      If you are your children have been threatened or assaulted, you can request a protective order from the District/County Attorney’s Office (We here at the Hardin County Crime Victims’ Assistance Center can help you with this). 

B.      Always keep your protective order with you.

C.      Call police if your partner violates the protective order.

D.      Inform family members, friends, and neighbors that you have a protective order in effect.

E.       Think of alternative ways to keep safe if the police do not respond immediately.

 

Safety in your own residence

A.      If you stay in your home, lock your windows and change the locks on your doors as soon as possible.

B.      Develop a safety plan with your children for times 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 the landlord that your partner no longer lives with you, and that they should call the police if they see him/her near your house.

E.       Never tell the abuser where you live. Never call the abuser from your home because your abuser may find out where you live.

F.       Request an unlisted/unpublished number from the telephone company.

Check list

What you need to take when you leave

Identification

§  Driver’s License

§  Birth Certificate

§  Children’s Birth Certificates

§  Social Security Cards

 Financial

§  Money and / or credit cards ( in only your name)

§  Checking and / or savings account books 

Legal Papers

§  Protective order

§  Lease, rental agreement and house deed

§  Car registration and insurance papers

§  Health and Life insurance papers

§  Medical records for you and your children

§  School records§  Work permits / Green Card / Visa

§  Passport

§  Divorce and Custody papers

§  Marriage License 

Other

§  Medications

§  House and car keys

§  Valuable jewelry

§  Address book

§  Pictures and sentimental items

§  Change of clothes for you and your children

§  Other items

Safety on the job and in public

A.      Inform someone at work of your situation.  Incude the security officers at work and provide them with a picture of your batterer.

B.      Have someone screen your telephone calls at work.

C.      Have someone escort your to and from your car, bus, or train.

D.      Use a variety of routes to come and go from home.

Emergency Numbers

 

Police Emergency Number   911

Hardin County Crime Victims’ Assistance Center         

 (409) 246-4300

Hardin County Attorney      

   (409) 246-5165

Hardin County District Attorney      

(409) 246-5160

National Domestic Violence Hotline    

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)     

1-800-787-3224 (TTY) for the deaf

 Women’s Advocacy Project

Family Violence Hotline    

1-800-374-HOPE (4673)

Department of Family and

Protective Services

 Abuse / Neglect Hotline   

1-800-252-5400