• Identify safe areas of your home

• Safe areas have ways to escape

• If arguments arise, move to the safe area

• Don’t run to where the children are located

• If violence is unavoidable, make yourself a small target

• Go to a corner, curl up into a ball, protect your face

• If possible, have a phone accessible

• Always know what numbers to call for help

• If your life is in danger, call 911

• Let trusted friends and neighbors know in case you need help

• Teach your children how to get help

• Teach your children not to get involved in the violence

• Tell your children that violence is never right

• Practice how to get out safely.  Practice with your children

• Plan what you are going to do if your children tell your abuser your plan

• Keep weapons like guns and knives locked away

• Make a habit of backing car into driveway for easy departure

• Try not to wear scarves & long jewelry that can be used to strangle

• Create several plausible reasons to leave the house at different times of day

• Practice leaving at different times of day

• Know where you are going when you leave

• Have one or two locations where you will go

Some things to keep in mind before you leave!

• Keep any evidence of physical abuse, such as pictures of injuries

• Keep a journal of all violent incidences – dates, events, threats

• Keep journal in a safe place | Know where to get help

• Tell someone what is happening to you

• If injured, go to a doctor or an emergency room

• If injured, make a report of what happened to you

• Plan with your children

• Identify a safe place for children to go if violence erupts

• Reassure children their job is to stay safe, not to protect you

• Try to set money aside or ask a friend to keep money for you