Safety Plan

No one deserves to be abused! If at any time you feel threatened or are being abused, dial 9-1-1 immediately! These tips have been designed to help you with your situation.

Tip 1: Preparing for a violent incident

• When with the abuser, try to keep away from rooms containing dangerous objects, such as the kitchen, or the bathroom.
• Identify rooms with an exit. Know which doors, windows, elevators or stairs to use.
• Keep a packed bag with a friend, a relative or a neighbor. Be sure to include copies of important documents.
• Tell one or more neighbors about the violence and ask them to call the police if they see or hear a disturbance.
• Create a code word to use with your children, family, friends and neighbors when you need the police.
• Have a plan! Know where you will go if you decide to leave your home.

Tip 2: Preparing to leave

• Get your own post office box.
• Open a checking/savings account in your name.
• Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, extra clothes and/or medicine in a safe place or with someone you trust.
• Identify a friend or relative willing to provide a safe place for you and your children to stay or who can lend you money.
• Always keep with you important numbers and some change or a calling card for emergency phone calls.
• If you have pets, make arrangements for them to be cared for in a safe place.

Tip 3: Safety with a Protective Order

• Always keep a copy of your protective order with you, including in your car, at work, at home and with close relatives.
• Inform family members, friends, and neighbors that you have a protective order in effect.
  Call the police if your abuser violates the protective order.
• Always have a backup plan you can use while waiting on the police to respond.
• Always ask for police report numbers after calling the police.

Tip 4: Safety in your day to day life

• Keep all windows and doors locked.
• Develop a safety plan with your children.
• Inform your child(ren)'s school, day care, or anyone who cares for your children what individuals have permission to pick up your children.
• Inform neighbors if your abuser no longer lives with you and ask them to call the police if they see the abuser.
• Request to have your telephone number unlisted/unpublished.
• Never call the abuser from your home or tell him where you live.

Tip 5: Safety on the job & in public

• Have someone with you at all times.
• Use a variety of routes to and from home each day.
• At work, inform management, a co-worker and security of your situation and if possible provide them with a picture of your abuser.
• If possible, make arrangements to have calls screened.

Be sure to have the following items when you leave: Identification Driver's License Birth Certificate Child(ren)'s Birth Certificate(s)/Photos Social Security Cards Military ID Cards Financial Social Security Cards Money and/or Credit Cards (in your name) Checking and/or Savings account books Other identifying financial information Safety deposit box key Legal Papers Protective Order Divorce/Custody Papers Marriage License Lease/Rental Agreement House Deed Car registration and insurance papers Health and Life insurance papers Medical records for you and your children School records Work permits/Green Card/Visa Passport Other Medications House and Car keys Valuable jewelry

Police Emergency Number 9-1-1 Battered Women's Shelter (210) 733-8810 Department of Family and Protective Services 1-800-252-5400 The Rape Crisis Center Hotline (210) 349-RAPE (7273) Bexar County Criminal District Attorney's Office-Victim Assistance Division (210) 335-2105 Bexar County Sheriff's Office (210) 335-6000 Victim Information & Notification Everyday (VINE) 1-877-894-8463