Safety Plan

• Know how to identify or recognize your partner's increasing pattern of violence in order to identify the danger levels. You are the expert in your particular situation: you know your partner better than anyone else.
  
• Prepare an emergency overnight bag with changes of clothes for you and your children suitable for varied weather conditions, enough cash for several days' lodging/gas/food, non-perishable snacks, credit cards, prescription cards and medicines, your address/telephone book, extra sets of car and house keys, your driver's license (and a copy of your partner's), pay stubs (yours and your partner's), savings and bank account information, copies of your monthly bills, community property documents, lease agreements, insurance policies, jewelry, social security cards (even your partner's number), birth certificates, marriage license, and other documents. Leave the bag outside of the house, either in the yard where it will not be found or with a trusted friend/relative.
  
• If possible, plan to leave before violence occurs and when your partner is not there. Make arrangements with a trusted friend/relative, or friend of a trusted friend the perpetrator does not know, or anyone else who will help you and/or your children.
  
• Notify a neighbor to be alert to strange noises and to call the police when this happens. Arrange an emergency signal with your neighbor, such as flashing the front porch light or a single phone ring.
  
• If it is safe - get rid of potential weapons in your home. This may include guns, knives, sharp or hard objects, flammable materials and fluids, rope, heavy tape, extension cords, irons, etc.  Of course, many objects may be potentially used as weapons, and you cannot remove every object from your home. However, if you inventory objects in your home with that thought in mind, you may be less likely to be caught off guard by your partner's weapon if a violent incident occurs.
  
• Teach your children how to call the police from both your home and cell phone (including giving their name and address) if a violent incident is occurring.  Arrange for an alternate, safe place for the children to go to safety and call the police, even if you cannot leave with them.  Practice several escape routes with your children, just like a fire drill.
  
• Plan where you will go in an emergency or dangerous situation. Consider the places your partner might search for you.
  
• Memorize the YWCA of Northwest Louisiana's Family Violence Program phone numbers: 222-2117 or 1-888-411-1333.  Contact the Family Violence Program for information and  assistance in obtaining protective orders, as well as to get advice, support, and shelter information. 
  
• Tell everyone what is happening. Abusive partners count on their victims being too ashamed or afraid to speak out. The more people who know about the abuse, the less chance your partner will be able to get to you and your children (i.e., workplace, school, church, apartment complex, etc.).

WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING A VIOLENT INCIDENT:

• If possible, leave the physical presence of the abuser.  Remember your emergency overnight bag.
  
• Call "911"  and report the incident.  If you cannot call, have one of your children call the police/sheriff.
  
• Remember your prearranged emergency cues with your neighbor.  Scream, flash your porch lights, or do whatever your signal is, so your neighbor will know to call for help.
  
• Try to avoid getting trapped in the kitchen or the bathroom - two rooms with hard surfaces and sharp objects.
  
• If you leave by car, lock your doors and windows immediately and do not unlock them until you arrive at a safe location.
  
• If you cannot leave, protect yourself and your children to the best of your ability.
  
• If you and/or your children have injuries of any kind, seek medical attention.