Safety Plans
I am including four (4) domestic violence safety plans to assist you and your needs. You will find three (3) plans for home, and one (1) plan for work.
Remember SUCCESS IS GETTING OUT ALIVE! So be prepared to revert back to "Get Out NOW" at any time.
Plan A - Get Out NOW
Plan B - You Have Time, and Live In Your Abusers Home
Plan C - You Have Time, and Own, or Lease Your Home.
Plan For At Work When you leave, it is important to take with you copies, and/or originals of all of your emergency documents. Also take your domestic violence proof documents if you have any.
All of these documents will be necessary in moving forward.
If you have to leave before you get these documents, you may be able to get them if you go back with a police escort to retrieve your personal belongings. Do NOT try to go back and retrieve these documents alone. If you cannot get them with a police escort, your attorney may be able to get them for you.
As you make plans, have you thought about creating a false trail ? My friend, Kelly at www.domestic-violence-help.org has great advise on creating a false trail before you leave. Here is what she says, "It is important to create a false trail for the safety of you and your children. Abusers follow the trails of their victims' phone calls, as well as their use of the internet."
After you leave your abuser, I strongly recommend that you DO NOT send your kids to daycare, or school until you have a copy of a current restraining order and a recent picture of your abuser to give to the person in charge at each location. Ask what their policy is in dealing with this type of situation. If you do not feel the policy is sufficient, ask for the extra precautions you feel are necessary to keep your kids safe. Otherwise, keep the kids with you and ask the daycare, or school to work with you for a few weeks while you make arrangements.
Before you return to work, call the Human Resources Department of your company, or your boss and figure out a safety plan at work. Take a copy of your restraining order and a recent picture of your abuser for identification.
