Safety Issue 4:
Safety at HOME
(This deals both with safety at your present home after the batterer leaves, or at your new place if you have moved.)
- Seek a protection or restraining order in court. Make extra copies of the order and keep them in safe places.
- Establish a “neighborhood watch” by informing neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see the perpetrator near your home.
- Show neighbors a picture of the batterer and/or the batterer’s vehicle.
- If possible, arrange to have a relative or friend call your house every day at an appointed time just to check in with you.
- If possible, trade cars with a friend or relative so a batterer cannot locate your vehicle.
- You should know that motor vehicle records, including addresses, may be available to the public.
- Switch to a private or unlisted telephone number.
- Be very cautious about giving out a new address. Use a Post Office box whenever possible. Batterers have located victims through friends, relatives, co-workers, court or social services documents, the post office, and private investigators.
- Block your outgoing telephone calls (*67).
- Use an answering machine or caller ID for incoming calls from the batterer for evidence of harassment or protection order violations.
- Alter routines - change transportation routes or timing (including picking up children from school) so that the batterer cannot locate you.
- Discuss your 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.
- Change the locks on your doors.
- Replace wooden doors with metal doors.
- Install a security system.
- Add additional locks, window bars, and use a strong wooden rod or dowel to secure doors and windows.
- Purchase rope ladders to be used for escape from second floor windows or access points.
- Install outdoor lighting and motion sensors.
- Keep Safety Planning materials well hidden and secret from your abuser.