Short-Term Safety Planning

During an Explosive Incident

If you are in a violent situation where your physical safety is at risk, we strongly encourage you to call 911. Calling the police can be scary, embarrassing, intimidating and/or feel unnecessary for some, but you have a right to safety and this option is available to you.

• If there is an argument, try to be in a place that has an exit and stay out of rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms or other rooms that may have items that could be used as weapons.

• Practice getting out of your home safely beforehand so that you can identify which exit(s) to use.

• Have a packed bag ready at a friend’s or relative’s house.

• Identify one or more neighbors who will call the police if a disturbance is coming from your home.

• Devise a code word or sign (such as turning on a particular light) to use with your children, family, friends and/or neighbors when you need them to call 911.

• Having an idea of where you could go and who you could stay with before an explosive event is very valuable. Consider what you would do in the event you needed to leave quickly.

Short-Term Safety Planning

During an Explosive Incident

If you are in a violent situation where your physical safety is at risk, we strongly encourage you to call 911. Calling the police can be scary, embarrassing, intimidating and/or feel unnecessary for some, but you have a right to safety and this option is available to you.

• If there is an argument, try to be in a place that has an exit and stay out of rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms or other rooms that may have items that could be used as weapons.

• Practice getting out of your home safely beforehand so that you can identify which exit(s) to use.

• Have a packed bag ready at a friend’s or relative’s house.

• Identify one or more neighbors who will call the police if a disturbance is coming from your home.

• Devise a code word or sign (such as turning on a particular light) to use with your children, family, friends and/or neighbors when you need them to call 911.

• Having an idea of where you could go and who you could stay with before an explosive event is very valuable. Consider what you would do in the event you needed to leave quickly.

Long-Term Safety Planning

If Leaving a Relationship

Women are 75% more likely to be killed when leaving an abusive relationship. Because the danger is so high during this time, safety planning is critical. Take your time to consider when you might leave the relationship, where you would go, who you would stay with, how long you could stay there, where would you go afterwards, how much money you would need and how you would keep your leaving a secret from your partner. This kind of planning takes time and we encourage you to reach out to an agency like Genesis to help guide you in this process.

• Open a checking or savings account and a post office box in your own name.

• Leave money, a set of keys, copies of important documents, extra clothes and medicines in a safe place or with someone you trust.

• Identify a safe place where you and your children can go, or someone who can lend you money.

• Keep the Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support 24-Hour Helpline number (214.946.HELP, available by call or text) and some change or a calling card with you for emergency phone calls.

• If you have children, we encourage you to do everything possible to bring your children with you. This can be very difficult and is not always an option, but it is common for abusers to use children as leverage against the mother later on. This can manifest in custody issues and further abuse.

• See below for important items you may consider bringing with you if you leave.

Items to consider taking with you if you are leaving a relationship:

Long-Term Safety Planning

If Leaving a Relationship

Women are 75% more likely to be killed when leaving an abusive relationship. Because the danger is so high during this time, safety planning is critical. Take your time to consider when you might leave the relationship, where you would go, who you would stay with, how long you could stay there, where would you go afterwards, how much money you would need, and how you would keep your leaving a secret from your partner. This kind of planning takes time and we encourage you to reach out to an agency like Genesis to help guide you in this process.

• Open a checking or savings account and a post office box in your own name.

• Leave money, a set of keys, copies of important documents, extra clothes and medicines in a safe place or with someone you trust.

• Identify a safe place where you and your children can go, or someone who can lend you money.

• Keep the Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support 24-Hour Helpline number (214.946.HELP, available by call or text) and some change or a calling card with you for emergency phone calls.

• If you have children, we encourage you to do everything possible to bring your children with you. This can be very difficult and is not always an option, but it is common for abusers to use children as leverage against the mother later on. This can manifest in custody issues and further abuse.

• See below for important items you may consider bringing with you if you leave.

Items to consider taking with you if you are leaving a relationship:

After Separating

Living on Your Own

Ongoing experiences of abuse are common after separation. The possibility of abuse escalation still exists and the following suggestions may help.

• If you are living in the same place where the abuse was occurring or if the abuser currently knows where you live, lock your windows and change locks on your doors as soon as possible.

• If you feel unsafe and need to break your lease, call Genesis; there may be options for you to leave without paying the required fees.

• Develop a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.

• Consider the technology and devices you use. Turn off GPS tracking and explore other ways to prevent hacking or other technological invasions of privacy.

• If you feel safe to do so, inform neighbors and/or the landlord that your partner no longer lives with you, and ask them to call the police if they see him near your home.

• If possible, keep your address confidential.

• Request an unlisted/unpublished phone number from the telephone company.

• Know you have the right to seek legal assistance during this time. If you have a protective order or divorce papers that require the abuser to stay away from you or your property, keep these on hand and give a copy to your landlord. Officers require to see a physical copy of these papers before they can enforce these rulings.

After Separating

Living on Your Own

Ongoing experiences of abuse are common after separation. The possibility of abuse escalation still exists and the following suggestions may help.

• If you are living in the same place where the abuse was occurring or if the abuser currently knows where you live, lock your windows and change locks on your doors as soon as possible.

• If you feel unsafe and need to break your lease, call Genesis; there may be options for you to leave without paying the required fees.

• Develop a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.

• Consider the technology and devices you use. Turn off GPS tracking and explore other ways to prevent hacking or other technological invasions of privacy.

• If you feel safe to do so, inform neighbors and/or the landlord that your partner no longer lives with you, and ask them to call the police if they see him near your home.

• If possible, keep your address confidential.

• Request an unlisted/unpublished phone number from the telephone company.

• Know you have the right to seek legal assistance during this time. If you have a protective order or divorce papers that require the abuser to stay away from you or your property, keep these on hand and give a copy to your landlord. Officers require to see a physical copy of these papers before they can enforce these rulings.