Safety Issue 8:
If your partner becomes abusive or threatening
- Call the police at 911.
- File criminal charges if the batterer commits a crime or violates a protection order.
- Seek medical treatment if injured by the batterer.
- Photograph all injuries or visible markings left on your body.
- Use your Safety Plan to escape or avoid any harm.
- Create a paper trail, or record, of all contact with the batterer including: phone calls, threats, other persons involved, and any other incidents.
- Determine how dangerous the batter may be. You have an increased risk of being severely assaulted or killed if your batterer possesses weapons, abuses drugs or alcohol, stalks you, or has threatened homicide or suicide.
- Find a safe place to stay temporarily (a shelter, or with friends or relatives) if you fear that the batterer will assault or try to kill you. Take your children with you or find a safe place for them to stay away from the violence.
- In some cases where you are in extreme danger, it may be necessary to disappear completely and change your name and social security number.
- Screen calls with voice-mail or a machine if possible, or ask someone else to screen your calls.
- Use your safety plan at work and when you’re in public places.