Getting Help :: Safety plans :: Information for leaving :: Protective Orders

Be prepared- Have an Exit Plan

• Pack a suitcase to store with a friend or neighbor.
• Keep special items in an easy-to-locate but safe place.
• Know where you will go and how to get there at any time of the day.
• Know where you will go and what you will do if you cannot escape the violence.
• Call the police.

• Withholds approval, appreciation or affection as punishment.
• Continually criticizes you, calls you names or shouts at you.
• Ignores your feelings.
• Ridicules or insults your most valued beliefs, your religion, race, family or class
• Is very jealous, harasses you about imagined affairs.
• Manipulates you with lies and contradictions.
• Insist that you dress the way he/she wants.
• Takes away car keys or money
• Subjects you to reckless driving.
• Locks you out of the house.
• Throws objects at you.
• Threatens you with violence.
• Abuses pets to hurt you.
• Punches, shoves, slaps, bites, kicks, chokes or hits you.
• Rapes you.
• Threatens to kidnap the children if you leave.
• Threatens to commit suicide if you leave.

• Try to stay calm.
• Describe the incident in detail.
• Show the police any injuries, bruises, or damaged property.
• Inform the officers of any witnesses.
• Tell the officers about other violent incidents.
• Show the officers any court documents you have, such as a No-Contact Restraining, Anti-harassment, or Order for Protection.
• Ask the officers for community resources such as shelters, hotlines, counseling and advocacy.
• Ask the officers for the case number of the report and a phone number if you want to follow up on the case

• Identification
• Drivers license
• Child's birth certificate
• Money
• Lease, rental agreement, house deed
• Checkbooks
• Insurance papers
• House and car keys
• Medications
• Address book
• Pictures
• Medical records (all family members)
• Social Security card
• School records
• Work permits
• Green card
• Passport
• Divorce papers