Safety After I Leave

• If you have a Protection or Restraining Order, keep a copy of it with you at all times. Inform friends, neighbors and employers that you have an Order in effect.

• Change your routine how you travel to and from work, the children appointments and schools. 

• Change your phone number and change passwords and pins on the account that your abuser can not guess.

• Rent a post office box to keep your address private. 

• Secure your home with motion lights, security systems, make sure windows and doors are locked at all times. 

• If possible, alert your new neighbors and request that they call the police if they see unusual activity or strange people. 

• Create a safety routine when you arrive home: checking your home and property, checking in with someone to let them know you are safe, etc.

• Get a new computer

• Don't isolate yourself 

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Workplace Safety

• Check to see if your workplace has a policy and procedures for supporting domestic violence survivors. Decide who at work you will inform of your situation, including building security.

• Provide relevant co-workers a photo of your abuser for quick identification and copies of any Protection or Restraining Orders. Instruct them to call 911 if they see your abuser in the vicinity or if your abuser tries to contact you at work.

• See if your employer will allow you to alter your  work hours, or relocate  to another site.

• Devise a safety plan for leaving work, such as exiting through the back door, having security to walk with you to your car.

• Alter your route coming and going from work.

• See if your name can be removed from the directory

 

Children Safety

• Provide school authorities with  a copy of any Protection or Restraining Order involving your children. If there is a Protection Order in place, instruct them to call 911 if they see your abuser in the vicinity and provide them a picture.

• Inform school authorities if your parenting plan mandates that the abusive parent should have limited or no access to your children.

• Identify a trusted friend or family member who can pick your children up at school and take care of them if needed, and inform the school.

• Change the route you take to bring your children to school or change the bus stop your children use.

• Consider transferring your children to a new school.

• Check the laws in your state about removing the children from the state you live in.