- Identify who would let you stay with them or lend you some money.
- Always try to take your children with you or make arrangements to leave them with someone safe.
- Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important documents, and extra clothes with someone you trust.
- Ensure that your vehicle gas tank is always at least ˝ full.
- Open a savings account in your own name to start to establish or increase your independence. Make deposits to slowly build your funds. Arrange for statements to be mailed to someone you trust.
- Apply for a credit card in your own name to slowly build a credit rating – a gas card might be easy to obtain. Have these statements sent to someone you trust.
- Keep the shelter numbers close at hand and keep change or a calling card with you at all times.
- Review your safety plan with a friend or counsellor in order to plan the safest way to leave the abuser.
- Prepare an information package on the offender, including a recent clear picture, description of his vehicle, age, ID numbers if you have them (SIN, Drivers License, etc), and a note describing the risks posed to victims, and who the potential victims will be.
REMEMBER – When you leave is the most dangerous time of all!
This information is compliments of Northern Society for Domestic Peace
