Escaping an abusive situation is often the only permanent solution to making the abuse stop. To help you plan on how to escape an abusive relationship, use the personal safety plan below to help yourself develop your own personal safety plan.

Personal Safety Plan

Increasing Safety in the Relationship
_I will write down important phone numbers for the children & myself

_If I leave my home because of violence, I can go to these four places:
1.________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________
4. HELP of Door County Safe Home

_I will find a person or place to leave extra money, keys, clothes, and copies of important documents.
_I will call 911 to protect myself and the children from violence
_I will memorize the HELPline crisis phone number, 743-8818 0r 1-800-91-HELP-1
_I will teach my children how to call 911 and will have a sign or code that will tell them when to call when I don’t want my partner to know that they are going to call 911
_I will open my own savings account
_I will plan escape routes in my home and will practice them with my children.
_I will ask a neighbor that I can trust to call the police if they hear a disturbance coming from my home.
_I will use a code word with my children and friends/family that signals that I need help.

Leaving the Relationship
_If I leave, I will bring the following items:
_Identification
_Birth certificates for myself & my children
_Social security cards
_School and medical records
_Money, credit/ATM cards, check books
_Keys to the house, car, office, and safe deposit box
_Driver’s license, car registration and title
_Medications
_Copy of tax return
_Restraining order(s)
_Child placement/custody orders, court or divorce paperwork
_Children’s favorite toys/personal items
_Work permits
_Passport/green card
_Rental agreement or house deed
_Mortgage payment records, current bills
_Address book
_Insurance papers
_Picture albums, jewelry, any items with sentimental value, heirlooms _Keep a packed bag ready and hidden in a safe place

When the Relationship Is Over
_I will change my locks
_I will get a restraining order
_I will give my friends, neighbors, or others permission to call the police if my former partner is seen near my residence
_I will tell everyone who is caring for my children who has permission to pick them up, including school, daycare staff, teacher, Sunday school teacher, etc…
_I will teach my children how to make a collect call and to try to get away and get help if my former partner takes them
_I will not give information to people who are not trustworthy or who are friends with my former partner
_I will get a new telephone number that is unpublished/unlisted and will get caller ID blocking (this service is available for free through HELP of Door County)
_I will tell my employer about my situation and have my work screen my phone calls and watch out for my former partner in case he/she comes to my work

If You Have A Restraining Order
_I will uphold the restraining order and report even the smallest violation to the police
_I will keep a copy of the restraining order with me at all times

Important Phone Numbers:

Police/Sheriff Emergency: 911
Sturgeon Bay Police non-emergency: 746-2450
Door County Sheriff non-emergency: 746-2400
HELP of Door County Office: 743-8818
HELPline (24 hours): 1-800-91-HELP-1

Click Here to visit HELP's website