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Safety Planning

Your safety (and that of your children) is the most important thing. Below are some tips to keep you safe.

Pack a bag. Hide it somewhere if needed. Give it to a family member of friend if they know of your situation. Some items to include:

• money (some of it in change)
• keys to car, house, work, etc.
• a change of clothes for you and your children
• address book
• driver's license and car registration
• emergency medicines
  

Gather important paperwork:

• birth certificates
• social security cards
• school and medical records
• bank records, checkbook, credit cards
• protective order or no-contact order
• divorce papers
• custody papers
• welfare ID
• passports
• green cards
• work permits
• insurance papers
• lease/rental agreements
  

Things to think about:

• places you could go in an emergency
• people who might help you if you leave, i.e. house you, lend you money, provide moral support
• opening a bank account in your name and putting money into savings
• how and when you might leave, such as when you take out the trash, walk the dog, go to the grocery