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Safety
Planning
Whether you are currently with your abuser or not, a safety plan
can reduce your risk of being harmed.The better you plan for your
departure, the safer you will be.
- Call
911
if
you
are
in
danger
or
hurt.
- Arrange
a
signal
with
a
neighbor
to
call
police
if
needed.
- If you
have
children
and
your
children
are
old
enough,
arrange
a
secret
signal
with
them
to
let
them
know
when
to
run
to
neighbors
or
call
police.
- Memorize the number of the ADV 24-hour hotline: 201-336-7575
- Memorize
the
number
and
location
of
your
local
police
precinct.
- Hide some money. You may need it later on for a phone call,
taxi, food, medication, etc.
- Hide
a
spare
car
key
and
house
key.
- Slowly gather your paperwork. Collect passports, green cards,
Social Security cards, birth certificates, marriage certificates,
children's immunization records, drivers license, car registration,
bank accounts, order of protection, custody papers, documentation
of abuse (photos of injuries, medical records) and other important
documents.
- If possible,
know
your
abuser's
Social
Security
number,
date
and
place
of
birth,
etc.
You
may
need
this
information
later.
- If you
have
a
Restraining
Order,
carry
a
copy
with
you
always.
- If you
have
custody
papers,
carry
a
copy
with
you
always.
- Keep
a
bag
packed
and
well
hidden
with
basic
necessities
for
you
and
your
children.
- If you
have
a
baby,
don't
forget
to
pack
diapers
and
formula.
·
If
you
leave
and
have
an
older
child,
try
to
take
something
the
child
is
attached
to
such
as
a
favorite
doll.
- If you can, document your abuse and keep it in a safe place.
Take photos of injuries, get copies of medical records, write
down each incident.
- Consider calling ADV's hotline 201-336-7575 even if you are
not ready to leave. Our counselors can give you a lot of important
information and be there for you to listen and assist you whenever
you need help.
Note: It may be easier to obtain duplicates (with seals) of original documents, and leave the original documents in place.
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