Tip #18 – Leaving an Abuser? Make an Escape Plan. Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Before you file for a restraining order or make any attempt to leave an abusive relationship, make an escape plan with places to go if you have to leave your home quickly, such as friends, relatives or a local domestic violence shelter and determine the best route to take.  Don’t go it alone; get help from a local domestic violence group or Family Justice Center. 

Draw up a checklist of items you’ll need and gather as many as you can and hide in an unobtrusive place (say a laundry bag in a child’s room) in case of a hasty departure:  cash, credit cards, keys, driver’s license and registration, medications, all identification and other important papers for everyone like birth certificates, green cards, passports and your Order of Protection.  Put as much important information you can on a flash drive that can be kept you on your key ring.  You can scan documents onto the drive at any Kinkos.  Use computers in libraries rather than at home.  Pack a favorite toy or blanket to help ease the trauma for your kids and, of course, grab the family pet.

Terrific resource to guide you through the process:  Time’s Up by Susan Murphy Milano, available in both paperback and e-book (which can ultimately be downloaded onto a flash drive so you won’t be discovered with the book).

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  If you need immediate help, call National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD).  Crime Prevention 101