Golden House Safety Plan

Safety Strategies

• Know your options if you have to leave home in an emergency. Can you stay with a friend? Will you go to a domestic abuse shelter?
• If you're not feeling safe, try to avoid the bathroom and kitchen or any room without an easy exit.
• Identify which doors, windows, or stairwells would be the best escape routes.
• Identify a neighbor you can tell about the violence and ask that neighbor to call the police if he or she hears a disturbance.
• Devise a signal to use with your children, family, and neighbors when you need the police.
• Instruct your children about what to do and where to go to be safe during an explosive situation.
• If you can, leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, extra medicines, and clothes with someone you trust so that you can leave quickly if necessary.
• Keep the shelter or hotline phone number close at hand and/or call 911 for emergency transportation or assistance.
• Rely on your gut. You can trust yourself to do whatever is necessary to protect yourself and your children.
• The time to leave is when you are ready to leave.

Safety Through the Legal System

• Nothing can guarantee your safety, but a domestic abuse restraining order may serve as a deterrent to further abuse. For more information or help in getting a restraining order, contact the Family Violence Center at 432-4244.
• Physical violence and/or the threat of physical violence is a crime. If you feel you are in danger, call 911.
• Remember - leaving your partner is the most dangerous time!

Safety With A Restraining Order

• If you have a restraining order, keep it with you at all times and give a copy to a trusted neighbor, friend or family member.
• Arrange to have an answering machine, caller ID, or a trusted friend or relative screen your telephone calls. Keep a record of the calls.
• Call the police immediately if your partner breaks the restraining order.
• Inform family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers that you have a restraining order.

Safety In Your Own Home

• Consider changing the locks on your doors. Check safety devices to secure your windows. Secure sliding patio doors.
• Think about installing additional outdoor lighting.
• Inform neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and ask them to call the police if they see your partner near your home.

Safety At Work

• Decide who in the work setting needs to know of your situation. This may include building security, personnel, and your boss. Provide a picture of your batterer if possible.
• Devise a safety plan for leaving work. Have someone escort you to your car or bus and wait with you until you are safely en route.
• If possible, use a variety of routes to go home.
• Think about what you would do if something happened while going home (i.e., in your car, on the bus, etc.)

We are concerned for your safety. No one deserves to be HURT!

Things That Would Be Helpful If You Leave

Your safety is most important. If in danger, leave immediately!