Domestic Violence - Safety Planning

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What You Can Do

Consider taking any or all of the following steps, which could keep you and your children safe from further violence:

If an argument seems unavoidable, try to have it in an area that has access to an exit and not in a bathroom or anywhere there are weapons.
Practice how to get out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevators, or stairwells would be best.
Identify a neighbor you can tell about the violence and ask that they call the police if they hear a disturbance in your home.
Devise a code to use with your children, family, friends and neighbors when you need the police.
Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important papers and extra clothes with someone you trust or store them away from your house.
Determine who would be able to let you stay with them or lend you some money.
Memorize the shelter telephone number and keep some change or a calling card on you at all times.

Keep your injunction with you at all times.
Change you telephone number, purchase an answering machine or have someone screen your calls, if possible.
Devise a safety plan for getting to your car when leaving home or work.
Change the locks on your doors as soon as possible and add locks and safety devices for all your windows.
Inform your children's school, day care, etc., about who has permission to pick them up.
Inform neighbors, landlords and employers that your partner no longer lives with you, you have an injunction and they should call the police if partner comes around.
Report any threats, intimidation or harassment to law enforcement immediately.