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Safety Planning

Safety planning for remaining in situation

• Notify someone of the situation.
• Have code words and action plans with children.
• Decide on safe places for children to stay during explosion.  Assure them their job is to stay safe, not to protect you.
• Practice action plans when abuser is not present.
• Decide at what point you would notify police.
• Carry a cell phone with you at all times.
  • Your local domestic violence program maybe able to provide you with a 911 capable cell phone
• If possible, maintain a journal of the abuse; describe incident, injuries, property damage, emotions, and any witnesses.  Make sure to keep in a secure location, perhaps at a family member’s house or at work.
• Keep vehicle fueled and access to an extra set of keys.

During an explosion

• Avoid kitchen and bathroom.  They often contain sharp or throwable objects
• Remain in rooms with more than one exit.
• Maintain access to a main exit of the house.

Planning to Leave

• Keep copies of important documents in a secure location.
  • Driver’s License
  • Passport
  • Birth Certificates
  • Mortgage Papers
  • Car Title
• Notify someone you trust of your plans.
• Set up a separate bank account with only your name.
• Contact your rental company about release from your lease or reassignment to another apartment.
• Contact an attorney regarding divorce, custody or PFA options.
• Secure options of where to stay.
  • Avoid staying with mutual friends, neighbors or relatives he would except you to be with.
• Plan what to do if he finds out about your plans.
• Keep vehicle fueled and access to an extra set of keys.

After You Have Left

• Vary your schedule and patterns.
• Vary your route to home, work, daycare, common stores.
• Park in a different area.
  • Consider parking off campus and taking public transportation.
  • At University Park contact the Parking Office - 814-865-1436
• Alert daycare or children’s schools of situation.
• Notify University Police of situation.
• Notify police where you live and where children’s schools and daycare are located.
• Reschedule any appointments the abuser may be aware of.
• Change phone numbers.
• Obtain Caller ID.

After the Abuser has Left.

• Change locks.
• Replace wooden doors with metal doors.
• Change phone numbers.
• Notify University Police of situation.
• Notify police where you live and where children’s schools and daycare are located of the situation.

INTERNET SAFETY NOTE:
Click the exit button if you need to quickly exit. Please read more tips on Internet and Email safety.