SAFETY DURING AN EXPLOSIVE INCIDENT

• If an argument seems unavoidable, try to have it in a room or area where you have access to an exit. Try to stay away from the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, or anywhere else where weapons might be available.
  
• Practice how to get out of your home safely. Identify which doors, windows, elevator, or stairwell would be best.
  
• Have a packed bag ready and keep it at a relative's or friend's home in order to leave quickly.
  
• Identify one or more neighbors you can tell about the violence and ask that they call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from your home.
  
• Devise a code word to use with your children, family, friends and neighbors when you need the police.
  
• Decide and plan for where you will go if you have to leave home (even if you don't think you will need to).
  
• Use your own instinct and judgment. If the situation is very dangerous, consider giving the abuser what he wants to calm him down. You have the right to protect yourself until you are out of danger.

Always remember: YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE HIT OR THREATENED.

SAFETY WHEN PREPARING TO LEAVE

• Open a savings account and/or a credit card in your own name to start to establish or increase your independence. Think of other ways in which you can increase your independence.
  
• Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, extra medicines, and clothes with someone you trust so you can leave quickly.
  
• Determine who would be able to let you stay with them or lend you some money.
  
• Keep the shelter or hotline phone number close at hand and keep some change or a calling card on you at all times for emergency phone calls.
  
• Review your safety plan as often as possible in order to plan the safest way to leave your batterer. REMEMBER ? LEAVING YOUR BATTERER IS THE MOST DANGEROUS TIME.

SAFETY IN YOUR OWN HOME

• Change the locks on your doors as soon as possible. Buy additional locks and safety devices to secure your windows.
  
• Discuss a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.
  
• Inform your children's school, day care, etc., about who has permission to pick up your children.
  
• Inform neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see your partner near your home.

SAFETY WITH A PROTECTIVE ORDER

• Keep your protective order on you at all times. (When you change your purse that should be the first thing that goes in it). Give a copy to a trusted neighbor or family member.
  
• Call the police if your partner breaks the protective order.
  
• Inform family, friends, neighbors, and your physician or health care provider that you have a protective order in effect.

SAFETY ON THE JOB AND IN PUBLIC

• Decide who at work you will inform of your situation. This should include office or building security. Provide a picture of your batterer if possible.
  
• Arrange to have an answering machine, caller ID, or a trusted friend or relative screen your phone calls.
  
• Devise a safety plan for when you leave work. Have someone escort you to your car, or bus, and wait with you until you are safely en route. Use a variety of routes to go home by if possible. Think about what you would do if something happened while going home.

YOUR SAFETY & EMOTIONAL HEALTH

• If you are thinking of returning to a potentially abusive situation, discuss an alternative plan with someone you trust.
  
• Have positive thoughts about yourself and be assertive with others about your needs.
  
• Decide who you can call to talk freely and openly to give you the support you need.
  
• Plan to attend a support group to gain support from others and learn more about yourself and the relationship.

CHECKLIST - WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE WHEN YOU LEAVE:

IDENTIFICATION

__ Driver's License

__ Children's Birth Certificates

__ Your Birth Certificate

__ Social Security Card

__ Welfare Identification

FINANCIAL

__ Money and/or credit cards

__ Bank Books

__ Check Books

LEGAL PAPERS

__ YOUR PROTECTIVE ORDER

__ Lease, rental agreement, house deed

__ Car registration & insurance papers

__ Health & Life insurance papers

__ Medical records for you and children

__ Work permits/Green Card/VISA

__ Passports

__ Divorce Papers

__ Custody Papers

OTHER

__ House and car keys

__ Medications

__ Small saleable objects

__ Jewelry

__ Address Book

__ Phone card

__ Pictures of you, children & your abuser

__ Children's small toys

__ Toiletries/diapers

__ Change of clothes for you and your kids

 

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

IMMEDIATE DANGER - DIAL 911

HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.
713-221-6000

HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
713-222-3131

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
1-800-779-7233

COUNSELING / SHELTER

FAMILYTIME INC.
281-446-2615

NORTHWEST ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES
281-885-4673

THE BRIDGE
713-473-2801

BAY AREA CRISIS CENTER
281-422-2292

HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER
713-528-2121

LEGAL

AVDA (AID TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE)
713-224-9911

HOUSTON LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE
713-237-9429

HOUSTON VOLUNTEER LAWYERS
713-228-0732

PERSONAL SAFETY PLAN

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE SAFE!

Harris County Sheriff's Department
Victim Assistance Unit
601 Lockwood, Room 212A
Houston, Texas 77011
713-967-5800

Family Violence Unit
601 Lockwood, Room 217A
Houston, Texas 77011
713-967-5743

To apply for protective orders:

Harris County District Attorney's Office

Family Criminal Law Division

1201 Franklin, Second Floor

Houston, Texas 77002

713-755-5888