Protecting Yourself from Family Violence

Keep a diary of the abuse and threats.
If the abuser has moved out, change the locks on all doors and put locks on the windows.
Keep a phone (cellular) in a room that you can lock from the inside.
Plan an escape route out of your home and teach it to your children.
Know a safe place where you can go if you need to escape.
Hide an “escape bag” that includes important things you need if you have to leave quickly. This may include money, medications, house/car keys, court papers, passport, birth certificates, marriage/divorce papers, social security cards, medical records, bank records, lease/mortgage papers, care registration, and address book. Anything that is important.
Let your neighbors know about the abuse and make a safety plan that may include a signal to call police.
Get an unlisted number.
Get caller ID.
Use an answering machine to screen calls and record threat/messages.
Take a self-defense class.
Call the police and make a report every time you feel threatened.
Change your regular travel habits.
Get rides with different people.
Shop in different places
Open new bank accounts in your name only.
Keep court orders and emergency numbers with you at all times and at work.
Keep a cell phone and program it to dial 911.
Give a picture of the abuser to security guards where you work and live.
Make sure supervisors know that you are trying to protect yourself.
Ask security to walk you to your car.