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Protecting Yourself from Family Violence
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Keep a diary of the abuse and threats.
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If the abuser has moved out, change the locks on all doors and put locks on the windows.
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Keep a phone (cellular) in a room that you can lock from the inside.
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Plan an escape route out of your home and teach it to your children.
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Know a safe place where you can go if you need to escape.
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Hide an .escape bag. that includes important things you need if you have to leave quickly. This may include money, medications, house/car keys, court papers, passport, birth certificates, marriage/divorce papers, social security cards, medical records, bank records, lease/mortgage papers, care registration, and address book. Anything that is important.
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Let your neighbors know about the abuse and make a safety plan that may include a signal to call police.
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Get an unlisted number.
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Get caller ID.
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Use an answering machine to screen calls and record threat/messages.
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Take a self-defense class.
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Call the police and make a report every time you feel threatened.
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Change your regular travel habits.
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Get rides with different people.
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Shop in different places
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Open new bank accounts in your name only.
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Keep court orders and emergency numbers with you at all times and at work.
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Keep a cell phone and program it to dial 911.
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Give a picture of the abuser to security guards where you work and live.
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Make sure supervisors know that you are trying to protect yourself.
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Ask security to walk you to your car.
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