Safety in Your Home

The following information is from the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence:

This safety plan is for domestic violence victims of any age who may be abused by, or afraid of their spouse or partner, boyfriend or girlfriend, adult child or their family member. Safety planning helps develop tools in advance of potentially dangerous situations. Choose only the suggestions listed here that make sense for your set of circumstances.

Safety in Your Own Home

(If your abuser does not live with you)

Upgrade your security system. Change the locks on doors and windows as soon as possible. Consider a security service, window bars, better lighting, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers.

Have a safety plan. Teach your child/ren or grandchilden how to call the police or someone they can trust. Have a secret code word that you and your children agree one – to communicate trouble and for the people who are allowed to pick the children up.

Change your phone number. Screen your calls if you have an answering machine or caller ID. Save all messages with threats or that violate any orders.

Talk to neighbors and landlord. Inform them that your abuser no longer lives with you and that they should call the police if they see the abuser near your home.

Get legal advice. Find a lawyer knowledgeable about domestic violence to explore custody, visitation, and divorce provisions that protect you and the children. Discuss getting a restraining order as an option.