Remember, the danger to you may get worse when leaving or after leaving an abusive relationship. Your abuser may get upset or further hurt you if they find this sheet. Keep it in a safe place (hidden or at work or with a friend or family member).

SAFETY PLANNING

WITH AN INJUNCTION FOR PROTECTION

ü  Secure some funds from joint accounts NOW! Your abuser may empty the accounts when served.

ü  It is important to keep a copy of the injunction with you at all times. A copy should also be kept in your car, at school, at work, at children’s school(s) or day care, and at other addresses you listed in the injunction (ex. parents’ home, friend’s home).

ü  Tell friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors about the injunction so that they can watch for the abuser and call the police if he/she is in the area.

ü  Develop a code word with friends or family or coworkers that lets them know you are not safe and need the police. Make it a word that you can work into a conversation easily versus something odd or unusual.

BE AWARE

·  Change your routines by using different grocery stores and drug stores than you did in the past. Take different streets each time you come and go from work or school.

·  Be alert and look around you when walking from work to your car, or home/apartment to your car, from the store to your car. Have your cell phone available and ready. Have your car keys in your hand.

·  Consider ways to secure your car (have it re-keyed, change code to enter without a key, use a “Club” or similar tool on the steering wheel to lock it).

·  Consider using a post office box instead of receiving mail where you live. Or consider having your mail sent to a friend or relative’s home.

SAFETY IN THE HOME

·  Change locks. If you live in a rental, show your injunction to the landlord or management so they will change the locks.

·  Change alarm codes and automatic garage door frequencies.

·  Install motion sensor lights outside (if you can).

·  Come up with an escape plan from your home. Share it with your children. Practice it like you do a fire escape plan.

·  Be sure your pets are safe and inside when you are not home. Make sure you have proof of pet ownership (license/tags, vaccination record, vet bills in your name, etc). Call the SPCA for tips and ideas ASPCA: 1-800-628-0028.

SAFETY AT WORK

·  Walk out of work with coworkers or a security guard if there is one.

·  Show coworkers a picture of the respondent.

·  Make coworkers and supervisors aware of the injunction.

TECHNOLOGY

§  Change your passwords for everything (example: computer, utilities, cell phone, bank account, credit card, email, Facebook, etc).

§  Change your PIN numbers for bank accounts.

§  Do not discuss your escape plan, your future plans, your weekend plans or where you specifically are while on social media. Even if you do not give access to your abuser, s/he may still be able to access your information as a “friend” of one of your friends.

§  Be aware of possible tracking devices in shared electronics (GPS in cars, cell phones, and computers, keyboard stroke programs installed on your computer, a camera activated on your computer)

SUPPORT

·  Reach out to a domestic violence center, friends, family, and/or support system for emotional support. You do not have to do this alone.

·  Before making significant decisions or making agreements with the abuser, talk with an advocate at a domestic violence center to discuss safety (before bonding the abuser out, meeting somewhere to talk, meeting to get personal items or money).

·  Do not hesitate to call law enforcement/911 if the abuser contacts you, harasses you, drives by your home, etc.

FOR MORE DETAILED SAFETY PLANNING OR IF YOUR SITUATION CHANGES CALL YOUR LOCAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTER.

Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 1-800-500-1119