OZARKA COLLEGE

The most dangerous time in a domestic violence relationship for a woman is when she is leaving or ending the relationship.  Though safety can never be assured, a safety plan may help to reduce the danger.  The Safety Plan below comes from the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence at http://www.domesticpeace.com/plan.html.  The Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence show that 26 women died in Arkansas from domestic violence in 2005 and 17 in 2006.  So far in 2007, the number of women killed has surpassed the 2006 figure.

Safety Plan

Safety during an explosive incident:

Decide and plan where you will go if you have to leave home (even if you don't think you will need to).
Practice how to get out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevator or stairwell would be best.

Have a packed bag ready and keep it at a relative's or friend's home in order to leave quickly. Use the checklist below to decide what is important for you to take.

Identify one or more neighbors you can talk to about the violence and ask them to call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.

Devise a code word to use with your children, family, friends and neighbors when you need the police.

If you believe an argument/incident is going to occur, try to move to a room or area where you have access to an exit. Stay away from any weapons, the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom or other rooms without an outside door or window.

Use your own instincts and judgment. If the situation is very dangerous, do whatever is necessary to be safe. This may mean giving the abuser what he wants to calm him down.

If necessary, call for help. Dial "0" or "911".

Always remember - You Do Not Deserve To Be Hit, Threatened, or Live in Fear!

Safety when preparing to leave:

Open a savings account and/or credit card in your own name to establish or increase your independence. Think of other ways in which you can increase your independence.

Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, extra medicines and clothes with someone you trust so you can leave quickly.

Determine who would be able to let you stay with them or lend you some money.

Keep the shelter or hotline number close at hand and keep some change or a calling card on you at all times for emergency phone calls.

Review your safety plan as often as possible in order to plan the safest way to leave your batterer. Remember - Leaving Your Batterer Is A Very Dangerous Time!

Safety at home:

Change the locks on your doors as soon as possible. Buy additional locks and safety devices to secure your windows.

Discuss a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.

Tell your children's school, day care, etc., who has your permission to pick up the children.

Notify your neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see him near your residence.

Safety with a protection order
Keep your protection order on you at all times. Give a copy to a trusted neighbor, family member or clergy person. Keep a copy in the glove compartment of your car.

Call the police if your batterer violates the protection order.

Think of other ways to keep safe until law enforcement arrives.

Inform family, friends, neighbors, and a physician that you have a protection order.

Safety in public or at work:

Tell your co-worker(s), boss and/or office or building security about your situation. Provide a picture of your batterer if possible.

Arrange to have an answering machine, caller ID or co-worker screen your telephone calls if possible.

Devise a safety plan for when you leave work. Have someone escort you to your car or bus, and wait with you until you are safely on your way. Use a variety of routes to go home if possible. Think about what you would do if something happened while going home.

Go to different grocery stores, businesses, and banks if possible. If this is not possible, change the time and day which you go shopping.

Checklist - Important things to take with you when you leave:

Identification
Driver's License
Children's Birth Certificates
Your Birth Certificate
Social Security Cards
Work Permits/VISA
Passport

Financial
Money and/or credit cards
Bank books
Checkbooks
Public Assistance documentation
Tax return from previous year
Pay stubs for you
Loan information

Other Important Papers
Your Protection Order
Lease, rental agreement or house deed
Car registration and insurance papers
Health and life insurance papers
Medical records for you and children
Vaccination records
Divorce papers
Custody papers

Other
House and car keys
Medications
Address Book
Phone cards
Pictures of you, your children and your abuser
Change of clothes for you and your children
Children's toys
Jewelry

Important phone numbers
(Numbers will vary depending on your location)
The closest domestic violence/sexual assault program: __________
Police: 911 or __________
Sheriff: __________
Victim -Witness Unit: __________
Prosecuting Attorney: __________
Clerk or District Court: __________
Probation Department: __________
Private Attorney: __________
Other: __________
Other: __________