Domestic Violence Safety Plan

For Local Shelter Call:
1-800-799-7739
National Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Safety at Home: When the abuser is there

• Stay out of rooms with no exit
• Avoid rooms that may have weapons
• Select a code word that alerts friends and children to call police
• Leave suitcase and checklist items with a friend

Safety at Home: When abuser has moved out

• Obtain an order of protection
• Change locks on doors and windows
• Insert a peephole in the door
• Change telephone number, screen calls, and block caller ID
• Install/increase outside lighting
• Consider getting a dog
• Inform landlord or neighbor of situation and ask that police be called if abuser in seen around the house

Safety at Work: What to do

• Tell your employer
• Give security a photo of abuser and Order of Protection
• Screen your calls
• Have an escort to your car or bus
• Vary your route home
• Consider a cell phone for your car
• Carry a noisemaker or personal alarm

Protecting: Your Children

• Plan and rehearse an escape route with your children
• If it is safe, teach them a code word to call 911, and how to use a public telephone
• Let school personnel know to whom children can be released
• Give school personnel a photo of abuser
• Warn school personnel not to divulge your address and phone number

Getting an Order of Protection

• Call 506-SELF (7353) to learn about an Order of Protection and Injunction Against Harassment
• Call the police to get an immediate Order of Protection
• Keep you order with you at ALL times, and give copies to family, friends, schools, employers, and babysitters

When preparing to leave what you need:

Identification

• Drivers license
• Children birth certificate
• Your birth certificate
• Social security card
• Welfare identification
• Medical insurance cards

Money

• Money and/or credit cards
• ATM card
• Checkbook

Legal Documents

• Lease, rental agreement, or deed to house/properties
• Car registration and insurance papers
• Health and life insurance papers
• Medical records for you and your children
• School and shot records
• Work permits/green card or visa
• Passport
• Divorce papers
• Custody papers

Other things

• Key to house, car and safety deposit boxes
• Medications for you and your children
• Small objects to sell
• Jewelry
• Address book
• Phone card
• Pictures of you, children, and your abuser
• Children’s small toys
• Toiletries/diapers
• Clothing

To Do

• Open a savings account in your own name
• Get your own post office box so that you can receive mail and checks
• Plan who to stay with or who would be able to lend you money during the crisis
• Contact the hotline or any shelter for help in safety planning and keep the hotline number with you at all times

In an Emergency- CALL 911 Immediately!!!

Online Resources

myPlan

myPlan - Español

Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

MAG Safety Plan

Plan de Seguridad ante la Violencia Doméstica

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

AZPoint