Domestic violence safety tips – Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

Safety planning

Planning for your safety and your children’s safety is important. It may be helpful to discuss a safety plan with a Victim Advocate. Advocates are available for ongoing support or for short-term assistance and can be found at community-based agencies and in many police and prosecution agencies.  

Plan ahead

• Recognize the signs of abuse.
• Reach out for support from a trusted friend, family member or a community-based advocate.
• Plan how to get out of the house and how to call 9-1-1 during an incident of abuse.
• Develop a plan with your children. Teach your children how to call 9-1-1.
• Have a safe place to go where the abuser cannot find or get to you.
• Make several copies of important documents and hide them or give them to someone you trust.
• Have important phone numbers written down in case your phone is taken.
• Pack and hide important items in an overnight bag for you and your children (clothes, documents, medication, phone numbers).
• Put aside money and spare keys.
• Consider getting a Protection Order If there are guns in your home, consider removing them and/or the bullets.
• Use a phone of computer that cannot be tracked by the abuser.

Keep evidence

• If you want to report unwanted contact or abuse, save messages for the police when you make a report.
• Maintain a log of abusive and unwanted behavior
• Take pictures of injuries
• Maintain records of hospital visits

During an incident

• Call or text 9-1-1 for help!
• When calling from a cell phone say your location first.
• Get out if you can.
• Bring important documents and information you need while you are away.
• Avoid space only with 1 exit.
• Let the 9-1-1 dispatcher and police know if there are guns in your home.
• If you are concerned about the guns in your home discuss your options with an advocate or law enforcement for temporary safe removal from the home.

In your home

• Change locks, secure doors, and windows
• Change passwords on accounts
• Plan to have someone stay with you.
• Change your phone number and passwords and turn off location options on all digital accounts and devices.
• Change locks, secure doors, and windows Plan to have someone stay with you.
• Change your phone number and passwords and turn off location options on all digital accounts and devices.
• Tell trusted friends, family, and neighbors.
• Check your phone and car for location sharing devices such as "Find My Phone" or a GPS device.
• If you have been choked or strangled within the last 48 hours, a medical exam is encouraged to assess for serious medical issues for free.

At the workplace, school, and public places

• Inform your work, daycare, school, and public places trusted family, friends, and neighbors.
• Give them copies of Protection/No Contact Orders. Change your daily routine.
• Plan for unexpected contact with the abuser.