What to Do
Call 911 if you are in danger or need help.
1
Talk
Talk to a friend or relative you trust for moral support.
2
Call
Reach out to your nearby domestic violence support program or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. These programs can help you learn about legal options, shelters, counseling services, and financial aid.
3
Code Words
If your friends or family know about what you're going through, establish some code words or phrases that you can use over the phone or through other means to signal that things are unsafe at home.
4
Notify the School
If you have children, be sure to inform the school about any potential threats or details regarding custody arrangements. It's important that the school is aware of who is authorized to pick up your children and who can receive information about them or you.
5
Have a Plan
If you're thinking about leaving home, it's essential to have a solid plan in place. Consider keeping an emergency bag with a trusted friend. This bag should include a change of clothes for you and your children, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, and some emergency cash. Don’t forget to bring along key papers for both you and your children, such as identification cards, Social Security cards, birth certificates, your marriage license, checkbooks, property titles, credit cards, bank statements, and pay stubs from both you and your spouse. Additionally, remember to take any documentation of previous abuse, like photos, police reports, or medical records.
6
Obtain Custody
Quickly secure a custody order. This order can include a provision that prevents your spouse from taking the children out of your county or even the country where you reside.
7
Notify the School
Please provide a copy of the custody order to the children’s schools and inform them that they should only release the children to you or someone you've specifically authorized.
8
Have Information Ready
Be sure to hold onto recent photos, passports, and birth certificates for the children. It's also a good idea to create a list of addresses and phone numbers for your spouse's friends and family, both nearby and in their home country.