Step 2: Safety when
Preparing to Leave
Battered women frequently leave the residence they
share with the battering partner. Leaving must be
done with a careful plan in order to increase safety.
Batterers often strike back when they believe that
a battered woman is leaving their relationship.
I can use some or all of
the following strategies:
1. I will leave money and an extra set of house/car/safety
deposit box keys with ______________________________
so that I can leave quickly.
2. I will keep copies of important documents or keys
at ____________________________.
3. I will open a savings account by _______________________
to increase my independence.
4. Other things I can
do to increase my independence include _________________________________________________________.
5. The domestic abuse agency's crisis line is 319-352-0037
or 1-800-410-SAFE (7233). I can seek shelter by calling
this crisis line. (Cedar Valley Friends of the Family)
6. I can keep change for phone calls on me at all
times. I understand that if I use my telephone credit
card, the following month the telephone bill will
tell my batterer those numbers that I called after
I left. To keep my telephone communications confidential,
I must either use coins or I might get a friend to
permit me to use their telephone credit card for a
limited time when I first leave. I can also purchase
a phone card t hat has prepaid minutes.
7. I will check with
_____________________________ and _____________________________
to see who would be able to let me stay with them
or lend me some money.
8. I can leave extra clothes with ____________________________________________
9. I will sit down and review my safety plan every
___________________________ in order to plan the safest
way to leave the residence. ________________________
(Domestic Violence Advocate or friend) has agreed
to help me review this plan.
10. I will rehearse my escape plan and practice it
with my children.
