| Did you know that approximately 25% of all murders | | | | provide you a temporary hiding place.o Hide or |
| nationwide are a result of a pattern stemming from | | | | destroy anything that might give a clue as to where |
| prior instances of domestic violence? It is a very | | | | you are going.o NEVER LEAVE A NOTE TO THE |
| serious problem affecting millions of households | | | | ABUSER.o Pack a bag and keep it in a safe place or |
| nationally and contrary to popular belief and media | | | | with a family member. |
| stereotypes, men are almost as likely to be abused | | | | KEEPING YOUR KIDS SAFE IN A DOMESTIC |
| as women by their partner or spouse. Statistics | | | | VIOLENCE SITUATION:o Advise your children to |
| provided by the Family Violence Prevention Fund | | | | never get involved in the argument or to put |
| state that more than three women will be murdered | | | | themselves in the middle of a fight between you and |
| today by their husband or boyfriend. | | | | the abuser.o Show them how to get to escape to |
| Obviously, there is no guarantee of your safety if | | | | safety, call 911 and give emergency hotline operators |
| you are being subjected to domestic violence or | | | | your address and telephone number so that law |
| choose to remain in an abusive relationship. However, | | | | enforcement may respond in a timely and accurate |
| even if you do not feel that you are able to leave | | | | manner.o Advise them who else to call for help after |
| the abuser, there are steps you should take right | | | | calling the police.o If you have a court order, provide |
| now to protect yourself and help keep your children | | | | their principal at school or their daycare provider a |
| safe. I would like to pass on the following survival tips | | | | copy; they should be instructed never to release |
| to better insure your safety and your family's | | | | your children to anyone without talking to you on the |
| well-being if you are in an abusive relationship. | | | | phone; provide them with a photo of the abuser. |
| SURVIVAL WHEN YOU ARE BEING ATTACKED IN | | | | YOU HAVE RIGHTS! USE THE LAW:o Your local |
| THE HOME:o Avoid any confrontation in the kitchen | | | | domestic violence program will assist you in obtaining |
| or in bathrooms; the kitchen provides easy access to | | | | a civil protection order, finding an attorney and |
| weapons, such as knives and heavy blunt objects | | | | provide guidance regarding criminal prosecution of the |
| and bathrooms often have closets and other small | | | | abuser.o In most states, you will find that a judge |
| spaces where the abuser can trap you.o Go to a | | | | can order the abuser to stay away from you or your |
| room in the house with a door or window and try to | | | | children; have the abuser banned from your |
| escape; lock the abuser outside if you can. A room | | | | residence, award you temporary custody of your |
| with a telephone for calling the police is also a good | | | | children and order temporary child support. |
| choice.o Call 911 (or your local emergency number) | | | | Without question you must leave the abusive |
| immediately for help; teach your children to dial 9-1-1.o | | | | relationship. Do not expect family or friends to come |
| When a police officer comes, REPORT the attack.o | | | | to your rescue; you alone must take responsibility for |
| Seek medical attention if you have been injured.o | | | | your own safety and the well-being of your children. |
| Take photographs of any injuries.o Contact a local | | | | Many victims of domestic violence often fall prey to |
| domestic violence program or shelter; they can also | | | | a "serial victim's mindset" and rationalize why they are |
| assist you in making a survival plan. | | | | being abused and will be abused in the future. Let go |
| PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY AT | | | | of the abuser's promises that he or she will change |
| HOME:o Emergency and hotline numbers should | | | | and his or her pleas of forgiveness for prior violent |
| always be handy and programmed into your cell | | | | incidents; those who are predisposed to assault loved |
| phone and home telephone.o Keep an extra set of | | | | ones bear sole responsibility for their actions and it is |
| house and car keys handy and hidden in a safe place | | | | not your responsibility to rehabilitate them. Trying to |
| that is easily and quickly accessible.o Store money, | | | | "bring an abuser around" has gotten many hundreds |
| identification, medications and credit cards in a place | | | | of thousands of people killed. |
| that you can also access quickly.o Plan an escape | | | | You do not have to be a victim. You do not have to |
| route and develop a procedure to contact police and | | | | become a statistic. |
| find a trustworthy friend or neighbor who can | | | | |