Domestic Violence Is Not a Family Matter-It's a Crime

What To Do

• Contact a domestic violence center
• Tell trusted friends and family
• Document dates and times of abuse- evidence-pictures
• Talk to a legal adviser about your options
• Do not use your computer to communicate your concerns. Hackers
• Talk to your children. Keep them safe and out of any arguments
• Identify trigger points, go to a neighbors or a safe place if you see the coming
• Use self defense
• Tell the police
• Find ways to save cash if you have to leave. Keep it with a trusted friend or family member
• Make copies of important documents in case u need to leave-deeds, insurance, social security, drives license, credit cards, w2’s, tax records, passports, medical cards, prescriptions bank accounts, etc.
• Make a spare key for house, car , etc. in case your spouse takes yours
• Give any sentimental items to a trusted friend or family member to hold for you
• Consider getting a protective order-gives you a legal basis to ask police and other s to take action. Be prepared for it to be violated
• Notify your family, friends, neighbors and employer that you have left the relationship
• Notify the children’s school and use the protective order to insure that school understands that your spouse is not authorized to pick up your children without your approval
• If he leaves, change the locks, and any passwords- (answering machines, email etc). meet him in public, well lit and populated places to talk
• If you leave, you can leave a false trail about where you are going
• If you leave, only tell very trusted individuals where you are