Stay in an area with an exit and avoid letting the other person get between you and the exit.

Practice plan for leaving home safely.

Avoid rooms with weapons, such as the kitchen.

Have emergency 911 phones hidden throughout the home.

Tell trustworthy neighbors about the violence. Ask them to call the police if they hear or see any disturbance.

Devise a code word or signal to use with your children, family, friends, and trustworthy neighbors when you need the police.

Trust your instincts and judgment. You have the right to protect yourself until you are out of danger

Establish financial independence - open savings and credit card accounts in your name only and instruct institutions that your partner is not to have access.

Leave money, extra keys, copies of important documents, extra medicine and clothes with someone you trust so you can leave quickly.

Determine safe people you can stay with and plan leaving with.

Review and rehearse your safety plan.

Keep a packed bag at a trusted relative or friend’s home.

Plan where you will go if you leave.

Change the locks on your doors. (Landlords are legally obligated to change locks within 24 hrs. if you are experiencing DV).

Install locks on your windows. (Renters check with your landlord first.)

Discuss and practice a safety plan with your children for when you are not with them.

Inform your children’s schools or caregivers who has permission to pick up your children.

Inform neighbors and landlord your partner no longer lives with you and to call the police if they see him or her near your home.

Keep your protective order on you at all times, and give a copy to a trusted neighbor, friend or family member.

Call the police if your abuser violates the protective order.

Think of alternative ways to keep safe if the police do not respond right away.

Inform family, friends, neighbors and health care providers that you have a protection order in effect.

Decide who at work you will inform of your situation, including building security.

Provide a photo of your abuser for quick identification.

Screen your telephone calls.

Devise a safety plan for leaving work, such as exiting through the back door.

Have someone escort you when leaving and wait with you until you are safely en route.

Use a variety of routes to go home.

Rehearse what you would do if something happened while going home, such as picking a safe place to go.

Create a safety routine when you arrive home: checking your house and property, checking in with someone to let them know you are safe, etc.

Identify who you can rely on for emotional support and call our 24-hour crisis line at 620.663.2522 or toll free 1.800.701.3630.

If you must communicate with your abuser, determine the safest way to do so and avoid being alone with them.

Advocate for yourself and your needs. Find people you can safely and openly talk to and ask for help. You are not alone, and you do not have to go through this by yourself.

Consider counseling and support groups that directly address your experiences and needs.

Find ways to care for yourself: exercise, make time to relax, create a safe environment, do things you enjoy, get as much support as you can.

Abusers may also track your activity and whereabouts through your cell phone; if you think there a chance this may be happening, take your phone into your provider, Apple store, or Best Buy Geek Squad and have it thoroughly checked.

If your phone has been compromised and you get a new one, do NOT update your phone from the Cloud.