ACTION PLAN
Here are some questions and issues to think about in case of a violent incident or when preparing to leave home:
1. Is there somewhere you can quickly and easily use a phone – at a neighbor’s or a relative’s home, or other contact?
2. Who will you call? (Identify who, make a mental note, and write it down somewhere safe).
3. Can you agree on a code or signal with a neighbor so they know when to call the police or take some other action you have agreed with them in advance? For example, putting a vase or toy in the window, if you are being threatened, or are trapped in the house.
4. Do you know where you can go to be safe in an emergency – perhaps with a relative or friend, at a hotel, or emergency housing?
5. Can you make and always carry with you a list of phone numbers for an emergency, as even well known numbers can be forgotten in a panic. Is it safe to put them into your mobile phone’s memory? (Don’t forget to include friends, relatives, local police and United Hope Helpline numbers).
6. Could you try to save some emergency money for bus, train or taxi fares? Where could you hide this money?
7. It is a good idea to have an extra set of keys cut for the house, flat or car.
8. Keep the keys, money and a set of clothes for yourself and the children packed ready in a bag so that you can leave quickly. Some leave this with a neighbor or friend. Who can you leave it with?
9. If possible take any important legal or financial papers and keep them in your emergency bag. These could include: marriage and birth certificates, court orders, health cards, passports, income support book, child benefit books, driver’s license, check book, credit cards, and your National Insurance number. Have you got access to these?
10. Are there any other important documents you need with you? If you can’t get the originals, you may have to make a photocopy when you can.
11. It may be useful to have photocopies of a gas or electricity bill in case you need to show proof of your last address. Many organizations need to separate proofs of your identity and address.
12. Remember that if you do leave home in a hurry because of the abuse, and later discover that you have forgotten something, it is always possible to arrange for the protection of a police escort to return home to collect things.
13. If you have more time to plan leaving, try to do as much as possible of the following:
- Leave when the abuser is not around
- Take all of your children with you
- Take what you can of your personal possessions, which have sentimental value.
- Take favorite toys for the children
- Take clothing for at least several days
- Take any medicine that you or the children may need, and bottles and
- nappies if you have a baby
- Open a separate savings account in another bank to build up money for after you leave
- Arrange for someone to take care of the pets