Millions of women every year suffer from domestic violence. If you feel that you may be one of these women or that you know one of these women, please continue to read the information below:
What if you decide to leave your abuser?
If you decide to leave, even temporarily, there are certain things you should take with you. Use this list to make sure you have everything you need.
Ø Money for phone calls
Ø Transportation
Ø Expenses: credit cards, ATM cards, checkbooks
Ø Drivers license, and ID cards
Ø All court documents
Ø Necessary medicines, medical records, and insurance papers
Ø Car and house keys
Ø Ownership documents
Ø All immigration documents including passports, birth/marriage/adoption/divorce records
Ø Clothes for yourself and your children.
How can you decrease the chances of being trapped in a violent situation?
There are steps you can take to protect yourself in the event of a violent situation:
Ø What door, stairwell, elevator, or window will you use to get out?
Plan how you will get away from your residence and know where everything you will need is. Practice this plan and use the list of items above to collect the things you need.
Ø Where will you go?
Talk to friends and learn about your local shelter.
Ø What rooms in your home might be dangerous?
Do not allow yourself to be trapped in a room without access to an outside door or any room that may contain objects that could be used as weapons. Avoid the kitchen, garage, and bathroom.
Ø Are your children able to call the police, the ambulance, and the fire department?
Make sure they know to call 911 in the case of an emergency.