The Exit (Safety) Plan
The highest risk for serious injury or death to a battered woman is when she is leaving or when she has left her violent
partner.
A lot of women stay in an abusive relationship due to financial dependency, threats from the abuser, and the lack of a
support system. When the victim leaves they are faced with financial issues, poor criminal justice response, fear for their
lives, and their children's safety.
With this in mind, it is of the utmost importance to have a safety plan. A safety plan is the best kind of management towards
a healthy escape and a successful future.
SAFETY PLAN FOR LEAVING/QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:
*Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 800-787-3224 *If there is an emergency dial 911.
1. The very first thing to do is try to put things in your name: the lease to your rented home, savings account, and anything
else you could think of. This will give you the power to throw the abuser out of your house. The more things that are in your
name, the more power you have.
2. Start planning now. It is never too early to plan your escape. Be prepared and don't waste any time. Get a job, if you
can. Look in the paper to see what the rent is going for in your area. Check into the legal system. Find out about restraining
orders and child custody/support. Know the facts. Knowledge is power.
3. Open a personal savings account in your name. Save some money, if you can. Keep your savings book at a friend's house
or in a bank safe deposit box.
4. Get a bank safe deposit box. Put all your personal papers and documents in the box. (Make copies of the documents and
put the originals back in your files at home.)
5. Get a Post Office Box. (Avoid using a private mailbox provider. By law, these providers must obtain your physical address:
this information could help the abuser find the victim.)
6. Depending on the type of job you have, hide your money. The restaurant business is so easy to hide money as waitresses
receive cash for tips. Don't tell your partner exactly how much you make.
7. Sell some of your things, if you can. Spring clean or Fall clean your house. This is a great way to make fast cash.
Baby-sit for a friend. Again, don't tell your partner exactly how much you made.
8. When you have a safe plan to leave, where would be the safest place to hide keys and your purse?
9. Tell someone you're leaving, like the police department. This is to let someone aware of what is going on at the time
of your escape.
10. When is the best time to leave? While the abuser is at work? Sleeping?
11. Where should the kids be the day you leave? School? Friend's house? How would you pick them up?
12. Don't always tell the abuser where your friends live. Don't reveal so much information about things in your life.
13. Research battered shelters in your area. Where are they? How can they help you and your children? What do you need
to bring to the shelter? How long can you stay? What do you have to do to get there?
Safety plans differ depending on the person and their situation. Some victims are dealing with physical abuse and life
threats. Some have family and friends nearby while others live miles away from their loved ones. There is help out there,
you must reach out. People do care.
Support Services
A lot of people who are abused feel alone. They believe that people don't understand what it is they are going through
and they end up not having the energy to seek help.
Family and friends may tend to say, "we all have problems," or "go to a marriage counselor," and the classic, "why don't
you just leave?" Unless someone is or was a victim of domestic violence, this epidemic is not easy to understand. If you never
experienced it yourself, you truly don't have a clue.
But there is help out there. We must find the sources and reach out. People do care and organizations are there to help.
1. Find a local battered shelter in your area. You could call your Chamber of Commerce in your area. The newspapers always
have information about shelters. You could also call The National Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. They can provide
help and referrals to local programs.
2. Call your local Department of Social Services. They are easily found in the phone book. They will help with financial
assistance, food stamps, child protective services, adult protective services, and Medicaid. For more information about the
Food Stamp Program go to http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/.
3. Call the American Bar Association at (202) 662-1737 or visit their website at http://www.abanet.org/domviol/home.html. Their website offers information in training materials, legal briefs, and sample legal forms relevant to domestic violence
legal issues and proceedings.
4. Surf the web. There are endless websites available for victims of domestic violence. Some of the websites provided offer
great sources for practically every state. Below is a list to start with:
Lesson 3: Making The Break For Good
Are you ready to make your dreams come true? Do you have goals that you would like to achieve? Is there a hobby that you
would love to turn into a moneymaking business? If so, this lesson will help you identify your dreams and goals. Make that
wish and jump into this lesson.
Introduction
This lesson will help the student to stop the cycle of abuse by identifying their dreams and goals, researching about college
education, and learn about financial independence.
Exercise:
This lesson offers fun questions for the student. It will help the student to focus on their dreams and goals and be honest
with what it is they truly want in their lives.
Discussion:
Please post questions and concerns at http://www.suite101.com/course.cfm/17694... Teresa Brouwer will always be available for assistance and help.
