Make a Safety Plan

Are You in Danger Now? If you need help right now, call “911.”

You can also call:

Your local Domestic Violence Shelter, or
The National Domestic Violence Hotline:

1-800-799-7233
TDD: 1-800-787-3224

Making a Safety Plan

This section tells you things you can do to keep you and your children safe from domestic violence.

What is a safety plan?
A safety plan means things you can do to keep you and your children safe from domestic violence. You can get help to make a safety plan. Help is usually free or low cost and available in many languages. Click for help in your county. Click for resources in tribal communities.

You can also find more information on planning for your safety from the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.

Before and During an Attack

When an attack starts, try to escape. If you feel you are in danger, leave your home and take your children, no matter what time it is. Go to the house of a friend or relative or a domestic violence shelter.
Defend and protect yourself. Later, take photos of your injuries.
Call for help. Scream as loudly and for as long as you can. You have nothing to be ashamed of — the abusive person does.
Stay close to a door or window so you can get out if you need to.
Stay away from the bathroom, kitchen, and weapons.
Practice your escape. Know which doors, windows, elevator, or stairs would be best.
Have a packed bag ready. Hide it in a place that you can get to quickly.
Identify neighbors you can tell about the violence. Ask them to call the police if they hear signs of domestic violence coming from your home.
Have a “code word” to use with your children, family, friends, and neighbors. Ask them to call the police when you say that word.
Know where to go if you have to leave home, even if you do not think you will have to.
Trust your instincts. Do whatever you have to do to survive.

Get Ready to Leave

Open a savings account in your own name. Give the bank a safe address, like a post office box or your work address. Or take advantage of the Safe at Home program, which gives you a secure address to use for your court papers (or for banking and other things) where you can still get your court papers without having to reveal your confidential address.
Leave money, an extra set of keys, and copies of your important papers with someone you trust. You may need to leave home fast, and you will need these things later.
Think about who you could stay with and who can lend you money.
Keep the phone number of the local domestic violence shelter nearby (or store it in your cell phone, if that is safe). Keep some change or a calling card with you at all times so you can call if there is an emergency.
Leaving is the most dangerous time. Thinking about your safety plan before you leave will help you when the time comes.
If you have to leave your children, get them back as soon as possible. Get legal advice or call a domestic violence agency.

Be Safe When You Live on Your Own

Change the locks on your doors as soon as you can. Put locks on all your doors and windows.
Ask your local phone company (and your cell phone company) for an unlisted number. Sometimes this service is free.
Teach your children how to be safe, for times when you are not with them.
Make sure your children’s school or daycare provider knows who is allowed to pick up your children.
Tell your neighbors and landlord that your spouse or partner no longer lives with you. Ask them to call the police if they see your spouse/partner near your home.

Get a Protective (Restraining) Order

Ask the court for a protective order and keep it with you at all times.
Make sure your local police department gets a copy of your restraining order.
Call the police if your spouse/partner breaks the protective order.
Keep notes about any contacts, threats, messages, or letters your spouse/partner sends to you. If your spouse/partner leaves messages on your answering machine, save the messages.
Think of how to stay safe in case the police do not get to you right away.
Give copies of your protective order to everyone listed on the order and to family, friends, and neighbors who are willing to help you.

Be Safe at Work and in Public

Tell the security personnel where you work. Give them a photo of the person you need protection from.
Decide who else to tell at work about your situation.
Ask someone at work to screen your telephone calls.
When you leave work, have someone walk with you to your car, bus, or train.
Do not take the same route home every day.
Think about what you would do if the person you need protection from approaches while you are getting to or from work.

Your Safety and Your Emotional Health

If you are thinking about going back to a situation that could be abusive, talk with someone you trust about alternatives.
Think positive thoughts about yourself.
Read books, articles, and poems to help you feel stronger.
Decide who you can call to get the support you need.
Go to a support group. You will get support and learn about yourself, domestic violence, and relationships.

What to Take With You When You Leave

Try to keep some things in your purse or wallet:

Driver's license or ID
Social security card
Welfare ID
Passport or green card
Money
Checkbooks
Credit cards
ATM cards
Bankbooks
Bank account numbers
House and car keys
Address book

If you have the time, take these things, too:

Medications
Medical, life, and auto insurance papers
Divorce papers or marriage license
Immigration/legal residency papers
Court orders, restraining orders
Birth certificates for you and your children
Police reports or documentation of previous abuse
Lease or rental agreement, house deed
Medical and school records
Jewelry or small objects you can sell
Car registration and title (pink slip)
Family photos
Children’s clothing and small toys
Extra glasses or contact lenses

Remember: These things are not as important as the lives of you and your children!

Hotlines and Resources for Victims of Domestic Violence

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
TDD: 1-800-787-3224

Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in more than 100 languages.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline links you to the following resources in your community:

Domestic violence shelters
Emergency shelters
Legal help
Social service programs

The website also provides a lot of information to help you and your children stay safe and get protection.

Futures Without Violence
Covers many topics, including information on domestic violence as it relates to health care, immigration, children, and housing.

Resources for Family Violence in Tribal Communities in California
Provides resources for you to get help with domestic violence issues if you live in an indian tribal community or reservation.

General Resources

California Department of Health Services (CDHS)
The CDHS Family Violence Referral Directory lists resources by county, including shelters/domestic violence programs, counseling services for victims, crisis hotlines, services for defendants, and legal service providers.

Domestic Violence Project of Santa Clara County
This site has information about many domestic violence topics.

LawHelpCalifornia Domestic Violence
Step-by-step information on how to get a restraining order, links to domestic violence resources, domestic violence in the military, Internet security and more. (Select your county or enter your zip code for information specific to the area that you live in.)

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233 (1-800-799-SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 for TDD.
This hotline helps people all over the U.S. find information about shelters, legal advocacy and assistance programs, and social services programs in their area. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get help in over 100 languages.

Working Together to End the Violence
This online tool contains information and resources for both victims and those seeking to help them. All content, including a public service announcement, is available in both English and Spanish. Use this site to identify signs of domestic violence and for access to organizations that can help.

San Francisco Law Library Family Law Research Guide
This site has a list of books about domestic violence topics.

Stalking Resource Center
The SRC's dual mission is to raise national awareness of stalking and to encourage the development and implementation of multidisciplinary responses to stalking in local communities across the country.

Supervised Visitation Network
This site may help you find supervised visitation services in your county. Click on the "Service Providers Dir." link in the left-hand column to find providers in California.

Help for Children and Teens

Date Rape Information
This publication was written by the National Crime Prevention Council.

Love: the good, the bad and the ugly

When Love Hurts: A Guide for Girls on Love, Respect and Abuse in Relationships
This website was developed by the Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Center (DVIRC) of Australia.

Restraining Orders

Can a Domestic Violence Restraining Order Help Me?
Prepared by the Judicial Council of California.

A Criminal Protective Order was issued against me.
Prepared by the Judicial Council of California.

How does a Criminal Protective Order help me?
Prepared by the Judicial Council of California.

How to Enforce Your Restraining Order
Prepared by the Judicial Council of California.

How Can I Respond to a Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order?
Prepared by the Judicial Council of California.

How Do I Turn In or Sell My Firearms?
Prepared by the Judicial Council of California